PlantFiles: Lavatera
Lavatera oblongifolia

This plant is quite rare, and grows in the Sierra Nevada mountains, southern Spain. The foliage is unusual for a Lavatera and the leaves are oval, grey green, with a felt-like surface. The 2" flowers are not as large as the well-known cultivars, but very attractive being bright pink with deep red veining.
In the wild they experience quite cold wet winters and coolish summers, so they may be successful even in Zone 8b regions. I would think that very good drainage and alkaline soil would be necessary.
I cannot comment on these plants any further as my plants are small seedlings only 3" tall, but with luck, I may get some flowers late this year.
Edit: This species seems to be rather slow-growing, and my plant is still only 12'' tall after six months. Hoping for flowers to photograph next year!