????? What kind of plant is this?

I believe you can buy a plant as well as grow it from seeds. Getting it to germinate is a different problem however. Not sure about its growing requirements. I just ordered it so I guess I will find out.

I found this on the net: http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Sparrmannia/gallery.html

I know it is grown as a cool greenhouse plant in Europe/Germany, but is usually only grown outdoors here in California. It is much used as a gigantic hedge plant to 18 feet tall in Golden Gate Park, where it blooms most heavily in winter thru spring. It is available commercially here in California, wants good fertile soil, light shade, protection from winds and regular water to look its best. It does very well under cool, foggy conditions here, but can be prone to scale and mealybug if grown too dry or otherwise stressed. It also is not very frost hardy, although it will resprout from the roots if only frozen to about 25F.