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Annual BiennialHerbaceous Perennial

Alcea rosea 'Halo Cream' (Halo Series)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

hollyhock 'Halo Cream'

An upright biennial or short-lived perennial, to around 1.8m high, with rounded, lobed, slightly hairy green leaves. Tall spikes of cream to pale yellow flowers, with a halo of dark red in the centres, are produced in summer

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

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. May need support on exposed sites, see staking: perennials

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in gentle heat in midwinter, or in situ in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Cut back dead foliage after flowering, or pull out and discard - growing as annuals or biennials can help limit the spread of rust

Pests

May be susceptible to cutworms and slugs on young growth, and to capsid bugs, aphids and mallow flea beetles

Diseases

May be susceptible to hollyhock rust

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