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Hollyhock

Herbaceous Biennial Flower

Alcea rosea
Malvaceae Family

This biennial has tall spikes of single or double brightly colored flowers. Can be direct seeded (not flowering until the second year), and self-seeds so readily that it appears to be a perennial once established in the garden.

	Site and Plant Characteristics
	Growing Information
	Varieties

Site Characteristics

Sunlight:

full sun
part shade

Soil conditions:

requires well-drained soil

Hardiness zones:

3 to 9

Plant Traits

Lifecycle: biennial

Ease-of-care: moderately difficult

Height: 4 to 8 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Bloom time:

mid-summer
late summer
early fall

Flower color:

red
yellow
violet
white
pink

Large, 2- to 4-inch wide single or double flowers.

Foliage color: dark green

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: upright

Shape in flower: flower stalks with upright spikes

Flowers borne along tall, erect stems.

Special Considerations

Special characteristics:

aggressive - Self-seeds prolifically.
non-invasive
not native to North America - Native to China.

Special uses:

direct-seeding

Growing Information

How to plant:

Propagate by seed - Sow seeds outdoors anytime from spring until 2 months before the first heavy fall frost. Do not cover, as light aids germination.

Days to emergence: 10 to 14

Maintenance and care:

May require staking, especially in rich soils.
More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Pests:

Beetles
Leafhopper
Mites

Diseases:

Rust

Varieties

�Powder Puffs� Strain: 6 to 8� tall plants with dense, double flowers in shades of pink, red, white, yellow and purple.
�Nigra�: the flowers are deep brown/purple, almost black, on 5� tall plants.
�Chater�s Double� Series: double flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, purple and white on 7� tall plants.
�Summer Carnival� Series: 4� tall plants with showy double flowers.