In Windsor, Latitude: 42° 18' North, Longitude: 83° 01' West, that which is called the Maltese Cross is a perennial - it grows back every year.
Malta's weather should be enough to grow the flower when you compare it with our harsh Canadian winters. I have never seen any flower in Malta which compares to the Maltese Cross as seen on this image. It has five petals not four and probably gets its name from the V shape at the end of each petal. I have never seen it in anything but red.