Alcea rosea
Alcea rosea
Hollyhock
- Position: full sun
- Soil: well-drained soil
- Flowering period: June to September
- Height: 1,5-2m
- Foliage: deciduous
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Alcea rosea, commonly known as hollyhock, is a biennial or a short-lived perennial. In the first year, hollyhocks develop roots and green rosettes (foliage). In the second year, they produce upright flower stalks topped with beautiful flowers, set seed, and then die.
Varieties
Hollyhocks flowers can be single or double and come in shades that range from white, pink, yellow, red, and purple. The single varieties are perfect for attracting pollinators.
Where is the best place to plant hollyhocks
Hollyhocks need full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. They also dislike wet conditions during winter.
They can grow to a height of 2m. Due to their height, they need a spot that is sheltered from strong winds. Plant hollyhocks along a wall or fence. If necessary, support a hollyhock with a strong cane and tie the stem to the support.
Dubble hollyhock Single hollyhock
Pruning
When to prune hollyhocks (Alcea rosea ). Cut back the stalks with the faded flowers to the base of the plant after flowering.
How to grow hollyhocks from seed
Hollyhocks self-seed readily. If you want seedlings, don’t remove the faded flower stalks. When the seed pods turn brown, they are ripe. The seeds will scatter on the surrounding soil.
Then new seedlings will emerge near the base of mature plants. Seedlings will not always come back in the same colour as their parents.
Or collect seed from the seed pods. The best way to store seeds is in a paper bag.
Plant combination
Hollyhocks go well with a range of partners such as Japanese anemones, Phlox, Floxgloves, and Perovskia
Phlox paniculata
