Lovely tropical-like blossoms bedeck this ornamental plant. This easy-to-grow annual looks like it should take more effort to grow! Just give it enough water and space, and it will reward your efforts. This close cousin of hibiscus comes from the Mediterranean region, and was first recorded as \"Spanish Summer Mallow\" in the 1633 edition of Gerard's famous Generall Historie of Plantes. The genus name \"Lavatera\" honors a Swiss horticulturist named J. R. Lavater, while the species name \"trimesteris\" has a literal meaning of \"three months,\" noting the time of the plant's development and blooming.