Hollyhock

Botanical Name

Alcea rosea

Hardiness

Zones 3 to 9

Height

2 to 9 feet

Width

1 to 2 feet

Flowers

Summer to fall: white thru every shade of yellow, pink, lavender, red, nearly black

Light

Full sun

Soil

Well-drained

Planting & Care

Sow seeds outdoors anytime from spring until 2 months before the first heavy frost
For bloom the following year - do not cover the seeds as light aids in germination
Plants may need staking
Hollyhock flowers are edible, the white part at the base (calyx) of the flower is very bitter and should be removed before serving

Problems

Anthracnose, rust (very common), leaf spot, spider mites, Japanese beetles

Varieties

Nigra - chocolate-maroon, almost black flowers, 5'
Majorette - double lacy flowers of apricot, rose, lavender, pink, lemon, and white, 24", AAS 1976
Summer Carnival - 4-5', double flowers in a wide range of colors, early bloomer
Charter Double Series - double flowers of reds, pinks, yellows, purples, and whites, 7'