About
This short-lived perennial features lobed, rounded foliage and produces tall, upright spikes adorned with open, funnel-shaped blooms. The nearly black flowers are accented by a pale yellow center, creating an eye-catching display during the summer months.
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
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
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
- 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