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Annual Biennial

Alcea rosea 'Blacknight' (Spotlight Series)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

hollyhock 'Blacknight'

A short-lived perennial with lobed rounded leaves and long, erect pyramids of open funnel-shaped almost black single flowers with a contrasting pale yellow eye in summer.

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Clay
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Black Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Malvaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Alcea are robust biennials or short-lived perennials with showy funnel-shaped flowers borne in tall, erect racemes in summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow well in slightly fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Staking might be necessary in exposed areas

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Cut back dead foliage after flowering or pull out and discard

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and flea beetles

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust

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