Hollyhocks , known botanically asAlcearosea , are iconic cottage garden plants . With their predominate spire of cupful - shape flowers , they bring height and drama to yourflower gardenbeds and borders .
hollyhock bloom in a kind of colours , include pink , red , yellow , white , and even disastrous , making them versatile for many garden designs .
Thesebiennials or unawares - lived perennialsare consummate for creating a traditional English garden look . They take care sensational when establish alongside delphiniums , foxglove , or roses . Hollyhocks are especially effective when grown against paries or fences , where their tall stem can be sustain .
Alcea rosea byAcabashiis licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Hollyhocks also make fantastic cut flowers , as you may see below :
All about Alcea
althaea are respect for their old - world good luck charm and ability to pull bee and butterflies to the garden . Despite their impressive appearance , they are relativelyeasy to growand observe with a few simple care requirements .
Key facts
Care requirements
Propagation
Hollyhocks are best propagated by seeds , which germinate promptly and can be directly sow into the garden after the last frost . If you wish well to start ejaculate indoors , plant them 6–8 weeks before the carry frost date in a seed - starting mix . transplanting seedling into the garden once they are stalwart and have at least two sets of true leaves .
For an earlier show , consider winter plants by sow in seminal fluid in late summertime and transplanting the seedling into their net position before the first frost . hollyhock often self - seed in the garden , so allowing some flowers to go to seed can ensure a continual provision of plants .
Pests and diseases
Hollyhocks are commonly affected byrust , a fungal disease that manifests as orange or brownish spots on the undersides of leaves . To minimise rust , provide good air circulation and avert overhead watering . If rust appears , bump off and destroy affect leave of absence to reduce its spread .
Aphidscan also assault the stem and leaves , sucking sap and de-escalate the plant . Spray them off with a strong stream of water supply or lend oneself insecticidal soap . Other pests includespider mitesin blistering , dry conditions , which can make stippling on leaves . Regular monitoring and prompt natural action service keep these pests in assay .
Best cultivars
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and nurseryman for more than 20 long time and loves to speak and drop a line about gardening . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma track in Horticultural studies and is now ground in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The site is point at everybody who have it off plant or has been bitten by the horticulture hemipteron and want to know more .
garden gradation by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s big mail lodge plant life retailer , as a website that put out practiced gardening contentedness .
Alcea rosea byAcabashiis licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Alcea rosea byAcabashiis licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Alcea rosea var. nigra Hollyhock byjacilluchis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
