May 28

Birth Flower

Tree Mallow
Lavatera Annual Mallow

Scientific Name: Lavatera trimestris
Family: Malvaceae

Flower Language

  • Wavering heart

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

An annual herb of the Malvaceae family native to the Mediterranean coast, introduced to Japan in the mid-Meiji period. Growing 60-100cm tall, it produces beautiful pink or white flowers resembling hibiscus from summer to autumn. With five petals often darker at the center, it displays the characteristic beautiful flower form of the Malvaceae family. Relatively easy to grow and popular as cut flowers. The scientific name Lavatera derives from the Lavater brothers, 16th-century Swiss natural scientists.

Trivia

  • Scientific name derives from Swiss natural scientists Lavater brothers
  • Displays characteristic beautiful flower form of Malvaceae family
  • Naturalized in Mediterranean regions creating beautiful landscapes
  • Popular as relatively easy-to-grow annual

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted in flower beds
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Border gardens
  • Potted plant cultivation
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used for cough relief
  • Said to soothe skin inflammation

Caution: Medical effects not proven, medicinal use should be approached with caution

Culinary
  • Young leaves
  • Flowers
Other
  • Used as dried flowers
  • Nectar source for honey
  • Used for soil improvement

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Japanese Kerria
Kerria Japanese Rose

Scientific Name: Kerria japonica
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Language

  • I have been waiting for you
  • Elegance
  • Nobility
  • Good fortune

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A deciduous shrub of the Rosaceae family native to Japan, Korean Peninsula, and China, long beloved by the Japanese people. From April to May, it produces beautiful bright yellow 5-petaled flowers abundantly across the entire shrub, cherished as a flower announcing the end of spring. Frequently appearing in the Man'yōshū and Tale of Genji, it is deeply rooted in Japanese literature. Available in both single and double-flowered varieties, widely planted as garden trees. The beautiful golden flowers have earned it the flower language meaning 'good fortune'.

Trivia

  • Sung as 'yamabuki' in Man'yōshū poetry
  • Famous from Ōta Dōkan's poem about seven and eight layers of flowers
  • Single flowers produce fruit but double flowers do not
  • Golden color inspired the flower language meaning 'good fortune'

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted as garden trees
  • Flower arrangement material
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Enjoyed as bonsai
Medicinal
  • Traditionally considered to have antipyretic properties
  • Sometimes used as ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine

Caution: Medical effects not proven, medicinal use should be approached with caution

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Wood used for crafts
  • Sometimes used as dye
  • Nectar source for honey

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported