Malva olbia (previously known as Lavatera olbia), the garden tree mallow, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae.
[2] It is native to the western Mediterranean, and has been introduced to California.
[1] A vigorous perennial shrub reaching 2.5 m (8 ft), the Royal Horticultural Society considers it to be a good plant to attract pollinators.
[3] The cultivars 'Rosea' and 'Red Rum' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
[4][5] Other cultivars include 'Barnsley' (with white aging to shell pink flowers), 'Lilac Lady', 'Eye Catcher', 'Pink Frills', 'Wembdon Variegated', and 'Saxtead'.