[viettaclark]

This plant has been growing outside my back door for 2+ years and is now about 3ft high.
The leaves are soft like velvet and individually turn yellow before dropping, leaving a bare stalk.
I thought it was a fig to start with but the leaves aren't shiny. No flowers yet to describe I'm afraid!
It just seeded itself and I've noticed another coming up down the garden.
Any ideas, anyone, please?

[Aunt Sally]

I don't think its a Fatsia japonica (but it could be).

[Aunt Sally]

Can't think of anything else though 

[8doubles]

The leaves and stem also look very fig like to me.
There is some fig info here, http://www.raysfiginfo.com/id-figs.html
Not a lot of good fig leaf id photo`s to view on the net.

[Aunt Sally]

Hmmm...

http://figs4fun.com/Links/FigLink006e.pdf

The more I look at fig leaves the more it looks like a Fatsia

[viettaclark]

Definitely not the Fatsia...I've got a big one in the garden and the leaves are harder and glossy.
The maple leaved fig is very similar but again the texture of the leaf is different. Mine are like moleskin....soft and floppier? I'm pretty sure it kept it's leaves last winter too although it was much smaller and I was leaving it to see what it did.....
Another bird seeded mystery.....

[gillie]

Is it an Abutilon?  They are a bit tender, hence not doing too well outside.

[Puenktchen]

The leaves look a bit like it is in the Malvaceae (mallow)-family. But maybe not Abutilon , I think it is to tender to survive winter outside.

[catllar]

You say the leaves are soft and furry - could it be a tetrapanax or a varietal? Have a google and see if it matches up. I used to have one in my garden - it spread like the devil and had bigger leaves than your picture, but that could just be where it's growing.

[viettaclark]

Thanks for your brilliant ideas folks!!
I have googled about and it's not tetrapanax or abutilon BUT Puenktchen suggested mallow and I'm pretty sure it's a lavatera but an unusual variety as I've already got a mature common tree mallow which has less lobed (more heart-shaped) leaves.
I think it's going to be ok to leave it for a bit to let it flower (although it's right outside the back door!!) Then I can definitely id it.....
I was worried that it might be invasive and lift up the path or damage the garage wall footings but it should be ok if it's a lavatera?