About
Alcea rosea 'Nigra' is a robust biennial or short-lived perennial that can reach heights of up to 2 meters. It features shallowly lobed, rounded foliage and produces elongated, upright racemes adorned with single, open, funnel-shaped flowers in a deep chocolate-maroon hue.
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
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, 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