[DonnaM]

I keep on seeing flowers at the side of the road and in gardens but dont know what they are. They come back every year and grow unloved very easily which is why I would like some. They have leaves  bit like big buttercup leaves.
Any ideas?

[Yorkie]

Mallow?

[DonnaM]

Is mallow and hibiscus the same thing?

[Kleftiwallah]

Definitely not.    Cheers,   Tony.

[mumofstig]

This is common mallow
http://www.flowerspictures.org/photo/flower/Common-mallow/Common-Mallow_2.jpg

there are many better cultivated types as well 

[Yorkie]

The mallow family of plants has many smaller varieties in it, including hibiscus and what I meant, which was lavatera.

[Yorkie]

Another suggestion for what you're seeing is buddleia.

[joyfull]

common mallow grow wild round here and are very pretty but for some reason they never seem to grow in my garden  

[arugula]

Another suggestion for what you're seeing is buddleia.

If the plant has buttercup shaped leaves I wouldn't say buddleia, but my lavatera plants do have that kind of leaf shape.

[Yorkie]

Good point, I agree 

[lancashiregardeninggal]

This is common mallow
http://www.flowerspictures.org/photo/flower/Common-mallow/Common-Mallow_2.jpg

there are many better cultivated types as well 

I am growing some of these at home and my flowers are just a little darker than this - not a flower person - I bought the seeds knowing exactly were they would be going and I have to say - they are growing better than anything else I have grown from seed

[DonnaM]

Been to the garden centre today and the main in the know seems to think they may be hardy or perennial geraniums. But they did not have them in.
Can they be grown from seed or are they best from roots?

[sunshineband]

Hardy geraniums grow well from seed or from root divisions. 

[DonnaM]

Thank you.
Can I plant seeds now or is it too late?

[sunshineband]

It is the wrong time to sow them really.

Generally they are sown October time, or in the spring