This newly-named Texas Superstar plant is worth your attention: Pavonia is truly strong and stunning. The plant goes by a lot of names, probably because it grows in many regions of Texas. It’s also called rock rose, Pavonia mallow, rose Pavonia, Texas mallow, and las Rosas de San Juan. Ask for “Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala),” and nurseries will know this plant.
Pavonia is a small mannerly woody shrub that does most things well. Ready for its Texas Superstar plant qualifications? Pavonia is a …perennial, Texas native, non-invasive, drought tolerant, full sun, soil-condition tolerant, long-blooming, disease tolerant, not particularly attractive to deer, and inexpensive… plant. Texas A&M AgriLife used to have an online “Earth-Kind Plant Selector” tool that suggested plants based upon homeowners’ preferences and plants’ success in an area. (That webpage seems to have gone the way of 5-cent candy bars.) That doesn’t change Pavonia’s ratings: 10 out of 10 for our area. Even our cats, which often break Pavonia’s branches as they jump and chase, can’t seem to kill it. That’s strong!
Pavonia is also simply stunning. Its deep green leaves move in the evening breeze, and its bright pink open flowers are bold and a bit defiant, as if Pavonia says, “I can thrive here!” We planted Pavonia eight years ago on an isolated small hill partially shaded by an oak tree, without irrigation. Salvias and bee balm cling to life on that hill, but Pavonia takes it all in and blooms until first frost. That’s stunning!
