Alcea
Hollyhock
Also known as Althaea
- Height × spread
- 0.8m – 2m × 0.4m – 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Hollyhocks are essential in a cottage-style garden and are a much loved garden plant. There are around 60 species of Hollyhock but only a few of these are grown in the UK. They are mostly biennial in character, or are short lived perennials. Many cultivars have been developed that delight the eye and these include many Alcea rosea forms that incorporate delectable double flowers. The flowers come in a good range of colours in shades of white, pink, red, yellow, purple, and black. These generally stand up to 2 metres in height. In addition there is the useful Russian Hollyhock, Alcea rugosus, with its sulphur yellow blooms and the compact Antwerp hollyhock, Alcea filicifolia that reaches around 1.2 metres high. Hollyhocks are prone to rust disease and early detection and treatment is advised. Give them sunshine and fertile, well-drained soil.
- Flower colour
- Black, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.8m – 2m
- Spread
- 0.4m – 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Mediterranean garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support tall stems
The plant may require support for long stems. Provide an artificial frame which it can grow through, or loosely tie the whole plant. A network of twigs can be woven together to provide a framework through which the plant can grow.
Tall stems can lean or be battered by weather. Support the plant to keep its vertical lines, aiming for a natural appearance which is easy on the eye.
Found in
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