Beginner learn

Hollyhock

Alcea

Alcea ficifolia ( Figleaf Hollyhock )
A very fast growing biennial ( often perennial if cut back after blooming ) reaching up to 7 x 3 feet, that is native to Siberia. It may act as a perennial if cut back to the basal foliage immediately after flowering.
The deeply-lobed leaves, up to 7 inches across, are mid-green.
The single or double flowers, up to 5 inches across, are borne on spikes during early summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 in full sun on well drained soil. It is moderately rust resistant.

Alcea rosea ( Common Hollyhock )
A large biennial, reaching up to 8 x 3 feet, though plants as large as 27 x 5 feet are known to have existed. It may have originated in the wild in Turkey however has been in cultivation for centuries. It no longer exists in the wild other than scattered locations around the world where it has escaped cultivation
The rough leave are deeply-lobed.
The single or double flowers, up to 6 inches across, are borne during summer.
The flowers are variable in color ranging from white, yellow to pink, red or purple.
Hardy zones 3 to 6 in full sun on fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil. It may be prone to rust in regions with humid and hot summers. Seed can be sown early in a greenhouse or sown directly outdoors during mid-spring. Where rust is a problem, cut plants down to 6 inches after flowering and burn the prunings to get rid of spores which may overwinter.

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario


Chaters Pink
Reaches up to 8 feet with double pink flowers.

Chaters Scarlet
Reaches up to 8 feet with double scarlet-red flowers.

Chaters Violet
Reaches up to 8 feet with double violet flowers.

Chaters White
Reaches up to 8 feet with double white flowers.

Old Farmyard
Reaches up to 10 feet with large single flowers of various colors.

Simplex
Reaches up to 6 x 2 feet, bearing single flowers of various colors.

Alcea rugosa ( Russian Hollyhock )
A biennial or short-lived perennial, reaching up to 9 x 3 feet, that is native to the Black Sea region in the Ukraine and Russia.
The foliage is gray-green.
The showy, single, mid-yellow flowers are borne along sturdy stocks from mid-summer well into fall.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun on well drained soil. It is drought tolerant and resistant to rust. It may self seed but not invasively.

* photos taken on Aug 2 2013 in Stratford, Ontario
* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario