BTW...the leaves in the first pic have a rather rough velvet like feel to the touch

Vera

first pic looks like a hollyhock

First pic looks like a violet to me...

Mike

No it's not a hollyhock...thanks. I have plenty of those around! Hollyhock are not near as felt-like as these and are lobed. As of today the leaves on this plant are much longer and extremely cordate (heart shaped), but narrower than wide. Growth is very slow.

Thanks

Vera

Vera - The first one looks like laverta to me.
The second one looks just like my Jamaican Cocktail Roselle (hibiscus sabdariffa) I have growing.
I have yet to see them bloom this year, but have buds so I'm hoping to see something out of it before frost. The zone hardiness for it is 8-10, so for me it will be an annual.

Among Lavateras Rose Mallow refers to Lavatera trimestris (the common annual Lavatera), but the term may be applied, dubiously, to other Lavateras.

But the first plant doesn't immediately stand out as as this. The leaves tend to be angular, and are also relatively smooth to the touch.

Hollyhocks don't consistently have lobed leaves, especially at the size of the plant in your photograph.

Rose mallow gets applied to a fair number of Hibiscuses, particular Muenchhusias (hardy perennial hibiscus), but the foliage doesn't look like the ones I've seen.

The second photo reminds me of Hibiscus trionum.