About
Alcea rosea is a strong biennial or a short-lived perennial that can reach heights of 2 meters or more. It features leaves that are either shallowly lobed or deeply divided, with a rounded shape. The plant produces tall, upright spikes adorned with wide, funnel-shaped blooms that can measure up to 10 cm across. Flower colors include pink, purple, red, white, and yellow.
About the genus
Alcea consists of sturdy biennials or short-lived perennials characterized by large, funnel-shaped blooms arranged in tall, upright racemes during the summer months.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Coastal
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. May need support on exposed sites, see staking perennials
- Pruning
- Cut back dead foliage after flowering, or pull out and discard - growing as annuals or biennials can help limit the spread of rust
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat in mid-winter or in-situ in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to cutworms and slugs on young growth, and to capsid bugs, aphids and mallow flea beetles
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to hollyhock rust