About
This short-lived perennial features lobed, rounded foliage and produces tall, upright clusters of soft orange apricot double flowers 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, sown in gentle heat in midwinter, 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