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Alcea rosea

hollyhock

© Janet Cubey & Wolfgang Bopp 2002
Sold by 2 nurseries

  • Other common names hollyhock

  • Synonyms Althaea rosea

  • Family Malvaceae

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

  • Details A. rosea is a robust biennial or short-lived perennial to 2m or more, with shallowly lobed, rounded leaves and long erect racemes of open funnel-shaped flowers to 10cm across, which may be pink, purple, red, white or yellow

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Columnar/Upright

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H5

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Aspect South-facing or West-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • MoistureWell-drained

  • SoilSand, Loam, Chalk

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 1.5-2.5 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.5-1 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Stake on exposed sites

Propagation Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat in mid-winter or in-situ in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds Wall-side Borders Cottage & Informal Garden Coastal

How to care

Pruning Cut back after flowering

Pests Young growth can be attacked by slugs and caterpillars; flea beetles occasionally causes significant defoliation

Diseases Susceptible to a rust

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