£0.59 incl. VAT
Hollyhocks are the quintessential cottage garden flower. The resurgence in Hollyhock popularity comes from several factors. Renewed interest in cottage gardens, a desire for drought and heat tolerance in garden flowers and the introduction of many new varieties are all helping fuel their new popularity. Strictly speaking it is a perennial but its finest plants are produced when grown as biennials. With a spread of 24-36” with a height between 48-60”, they much prefer full Sun.
Alcea rosea ‘Chaters Double’ give a wonderful mixed colour range of large, fully double flowers that are nearly pom-pom in appearance. White, yellow, crimson, pink, purple, rose, and red. The dramatic flowers of this variety work equally well in a contemporary, minimalist garden. They are perfect to fill large areas or the back of a flowerbed and the flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and bees. The rosettes of big hairy leaves will develop by autumn then die back before winter. It will bloom the following summer, the word ‘bloom’ being an understatement!
Hollyhocks are almost as easy to grow as sunflowers and would probably be grown as often if more gardeners were aware of their good nature. Unlike many other dramatic flowers that are simpler to admire than to actually grow, hollyhocks need no coddling. Their character is superior to their reputation and they are best praised by being grown.
Approximately 25 Seeds
In stock
Sowing & Growing
Sow indoors in spring or directly. Surface sow individual seeds 20mm apart onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seed with a sprinkling of soil. Ideal temp. 15-21°C. Germination takes 10-14 days. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle, 3-4 weeks later, into individual pots. Handle leaves only, the stem is fragile. Grow on in bright cool conditions. Acclimatise and plant out in May/June.
Can be sown into a cold frame in mid-summer and planted out the following spring.
Prefers a well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun, against a sunny wall is ideal. May require staking in exposed sites. This genus can be prone to rust fungus, treat with fungicide if desired.
Propagate by seed. Cut back after flowering. Will self-seed, self-seeded plants will try to creep towards the sunny front of a border. Dig these up and pot, once established replant towards the back of the border.
| Packet Size | Approximately 25 Seeds |
|---|---|
| Hardiness & Lifecycle | Hardy Perennial | but can be grown as a biennial |
