| Common Name | Hollyhock |
| Genus | Alcea |
| Species | Alcea rosea |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Life Cycle | Biennial to short-lived perennial |
| Format | 32 cell plug tray |
| Plug Care | Transplant plugs promptly and water deeply at planting time. Keep evenly moist (top 2 inches of soil) until new growth appears, then reduce to weekly watering unless in extended dry periods. |
| Netting / Staking | Tall flower spikes (up to 7 feet) benefit from support - stake early using sticks, bamboo canes or netting in windy sites. Can also grow along a fence or south facing wall for support. |
| Temperature Range | Hardy zones 3-9; thrives in temperate climates. In extremely humid regions, generous spacing and airflow is necessary to avoid rust disease. |
| Spacing | 24" (2') is adequate to reduce disease risk and support air circulation. |
| Soil Preference | Fertile, well-drained soils; amend with compost before planting. Performs best in neutral to slightly alkaline soils. Will tolerate poor quality soil but stems will be smaller and flowers will be fewer. |
| Day Length | Long-day plants which bloom at the peak of summer. Full sun is ideal; partial shade acceptable in regions with intense heat. |
| Pinching | Not necessary. Typical growth is one to 5 large central stalks depending on age of clump and nutrient availability in soil, with smaller side branches. Pinching the central stem might encourage more side branching, but more trialing is needed. |
| When to Plant | Transplant plugs in spring or early autumn. Avoid planting in the summer heat; spring planting establishes and some varieties will flower first year. All varieties will bloom the next year after a fall planting. |
| Harvesting | Cut individual flower stalks when half to two-thirds of blooms are open. Expect a vase life of 7-10 days, possibly longer with preservative and cool storage conditions. |
| Post Harvest Care | Re-cut stems at an angle under water, immediately place in clean holding solution/ floral preservative, and store in a cooler to maintain vase life. Avoid exposure to ethylene gas to prevent petal damage and flower drop. |
| Diseases / Insects | Rust (Puccinia malvacearum) is the primary issue - remove infected foliage and sanitize tools. Use crop rotation to avoid re-planting into soil with rust. Watch for slugs, snails, Japanese beetles, spider mites and hollyhock weevils. |
| Bailey's Notes | Our selected Chater’s Double Salmon, Fruity Mix, Nigra, Peaches ’n Dreams, and The Bride varieties offer sturdy, impressive flower spikes ideal for tall arrangements or event installs. Grown from plugs, these cultivars establish quickly in the second year and flower into a stunning display which you might not even want to bring in from the field. Try growing them as a living wind screen, or a photo backdrop. |
| Resources | NA |