Phymosia umbellata Aubergine

A Mexican mallow with very dark glossy bell-shaped flowers in chunky green calyces. It may or may not be darker than other forms in cultivation, but I like the name because the flowers really do look a lot like aubergines. Photos of similar plants online look a lot more red. People who like black flowers (and who doesn't?) should definitely grow it.

Anyway it's my seedling so I'm naming it 😁  It's very photogenic.

In other respects it resembles other malvaceous shrubs like Abutilon and Lavatera and grows to about 6ft tall and across.

Hardiness is uncertain but it'll take some frost - probably safest fairly dry at the roots and in full sun, against a wall, or in a pot brought in for the winter. 

£16