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Alternative for Lavatera 'Barnsley'?

ThankthecatThankthecat Posts: 421
in Plants
I've had to give up trying to grow this plant as they just keep succumbing to rust, but it was an important part of a planting scheme. Can anyone recommend an alternative - same soft pink, around 4-5ft tall? Preferably perennial but not essential. 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If you want a shrub for low maintenance, have a look at deutzias.   If you want a herbaceous perennial, try phlomis tuberosa or pink/mauve delphiniums or pinker forms of sanguisorbia such as Pink Tanna.   
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    If you like roses, and you may not, you could do worse than 'Scepter'd Isle'...  it costs, but it's worth it....  roses grow well in the West Country despite what you may hear..




    East Anglia, England
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Of course it's your decision and you know your growing conditions better than I do, but... I think it's a pity to give up on L. 'Barnsley'. I find the flowers a lovely mix of very pale pink and medium pink which I have not met so far on other cultivars. My current specimen is the 3rd one (in 5 years). They tend to die in their 2nd or 3rd year, but I find it really easy to take cuttings to propagate them and 'keep them alive'. Seriously, I would not be without my Barnsley. On the pic below, a young specimen planted out last spring and already reaching 1.5m high & wide (in the foreground are 2 clumps of Penstemon 'apple blossom'.
  • ThankthecatThankthecat Posts: 421
    edited July 2018
    I know what you mean Papi Jo, I've always had it in my gardens. But it really doesn't thrive at all here. I've had three in the last seven years and all have shown signs of rust at about the time the flower buds appear. By the time it's in full bloom it looks a dreadful state, even with picking off leaves as soon as the yellow appears. They have all got so bad that I've had to hoik them out well before flowering should be over :( I've currently got Barnsley Baby in a pot on the patio and that's got it, but not too badly at present. I love roses, Marlorena, and I might fit that in somewhere, but I really like the form of the lavatera, it just seemed to fit in with its neighbours perfectly. By the way, they are Allium Sphaerocephalon, Echinops Veitch's Blue, Verbena Bonariensis, R Iceberg and Nepeta Six Hills Giant. The darker pink in the centre of Barnsley looked great with the alliums... Obelixx, I like the idea of pink delphiniums. Never grown them before because we are pretty exposed but there is some shelter in that particular bed and there's always staking... thanks for the suggestions!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Taller phlox might be a good alternative and I can second Sceptr'd Isle as a grand rose to grow.  Remember delphiniums will need slug protection measures.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • nultyphilip224nultyphilip224 Posts: 923
    @Thankthecat,..sorry your Lavatera 'Barnsley Baby',..didn't work out for you,..as you mentioned that you liked the flower itself,..mine below.


    How about Hibiscus 'Woodbridge',..it has a similar toned bloom.

    glengarry23 - YouTube
  • PurplerainPurplerain Posts: 1,053
    edited July 2018
    I was wandering around in my pyjamas this morning and came across this Sidalcea that might work. It's on the right and just coming into bloom. It is a very pale pink, but I am afraid I don't know the name. If you planted two or three together it might give you the effect you are looking for. You could even grow them in large pots for extra height hidden by foliage. Edit: It could be Page Roberts.


    SW Scotland
  • ThankthecatThankthecat Posts: 421
    Ooh, @nultyphilip224 I do like that hibiscus! I don't know anything about them so will have to look into that. The sidalcea is another possible Purplerain - I used to have one, called Elsie Heugh, that is very similar. Thanks for all your suggestions! I have moved my Barnsley Baby into the position where it's big brother usually lives for the time being but I've got plenty of alternatives to plan for next year now :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The problem with hibiscus, in my experience, is that the can take until the end of June to leaf up after a hard winter and the pink varieties are more likely to turn up their toes but go ahead if it's a sheltered spot .  Lovely flowers and the foliage isn't bad either.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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