Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000076
11/12/99
Alcea rosea--Hollyhock
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 6 ft Spacing: 18 in
Type: herbaceous perennial
Flowers: Pink, white, red, purple, yellow
Comments: Hollyhock is a biennial but self seeds giving
the appearance of a perennial. These short-lived plants
produce flowers covering a wide range of colors. Alcea
prefers a rich soil with lots of organic matter. Provide
exposure to full sun as the plant dislikes any amount of
shade. Because the coarse foliage is attacked by
diseases, especially rust, plant hollyhock near the back
of the garden. The diseased foliage will be hidden by
shorter plants. Pinching one or two times early in the
growing season gives shorter, plants with more branches.
Dormant terminal buds are sometimes injured by freezing or
over watering, so provide a mulch for winter protection.
Double flowered types may need staking as they fall over
after a rain because the flowers will hold a large amount
of water.
Propagation: Hollyhock is usually propagated by planting
new plants grown from seed. The plants may not live long
enough to be divided. Division may be done in the spring
but may be difficult due to a taproot. Each division
needs to have an eye or bud. Seed can be planted any time
between May and September. Young plants, grown from late
season planting, need winter protection. The seed
germinates in 2 to 3 weeks at 60 degrees.
Cultivars:
'Chater's Double' - The double, ball-shaped flowers
are red, pink, white or yellow (Vis. 2).
'Country Garden Mix' - Single flowers of pink, white, and
yellow.
'Indian Spring' - A mix of white, pink, red and yellow
single flowers.
'Majorette Mixed' - A dwarf form with a height of about
30 inches. The flowers are large, semi-double
flowers in pastel colors.
'Nigra' - Dark maroon flowers are almost black in the
center.
'Old Barnyard Mix' - A mix of light and dark colors,
biennials that reseed each year, single flowers.
'Peaches 'n' Dreams' - Double, pink flowers have yellow
centers.
'Powderpuffs Mixed' - The double flowers are an inch
larger than other double hollyhocks. The flowers are
yellow, white, pink, scarlet and salmon (Vis. 1).
rugosa - This species of Alcea has yellow flowers
produced on spikes 6 feet tall.
'Summer Carnival' - Double flowers in a wide range of
colors are produced even on lower parts of the stem.
'Watchman Strain' - Dark red, single flowers.
References for Cultivars: Walters Gardens 1997, Weston
Nurseries 1999, Bailey Nurseries 1999, White Flower Farm
1999, Sheridan Nurseries 1999, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1999,
Wayside Gardens 1999, Midwest Groundcovers 1999.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
heatley@msue.msu.edu . Please read our
disclaimer for important
information about using our site.