MALVAVISCUS arboreus (mollis). Wax mallow. Mexico and Central America. This is a rambunctious shrub of the mallow family, growing easily 8-10' tall and 10-15' broad. It has bright green stems and even brighter, lobed 2-4" leaves. It blooms more or less constantly, bearing brilliant red blossoms with 2" petals. They remain overlapped in pinwheel fashion. An undemanding shrub, though it has the usual pests of members of this family (notably whitefly). Sun or light shade, most soils, moderate watering. Ultimately hardy to 18^oF or less, though exposed branches are burned at somewhat higher temperatures.