Overview
Alcea setosa is a columnar upright annual biennial in the genus Alcea, part of the Malvaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Alcea setosa grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, coastal, flower borders and beds and wall side borders. It is native to Cyprus, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine, Türkiye and Türkiye-in-Europe.
About
Alcea setosa, commonly known as bristly hollyhock or tower of bells, is a cultivar of the Alcea genus, which comprises sturdy biennials or short-lived perennials with large, funnel-shaped flowers arranged in tall, upright racemes. This cultivar features a columnar upright habit and deciduous foliage, thriving in full sun on south- or west-facing aspects. It prefers fertile, well-drained soils such as chalk, loam, or sand with a range of pH levels and is hardy to UK zone H5. Alcea setosa is suitable for cottage and informal gardens, coastal areas, flower borders, and wall-side borders, flowering in spring and summer.
About the genus
Alcea is a genus of over 80 species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae, commonly known as the hollyhocks. They are native to Asia and Europe. The single species of hollyhock from the Americas, the streambank wild hollyhock, belongs to a different genus.
Wikipedia contributors, "Alcea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Alcea
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Alcea
- 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
Alcea setosa size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders
- Native to
- Cyprus, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Alcea setosa
- Propagation
- Seed sown in gentle heat in mid-winter, In-situ in spring
- Pest resistance
- Cutworms, Slugs, Capsid bugs, Aphids, Mallow flea beetles
- Disease resistance
- Hollyhock rust
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Alcea setosa?
Alcea setosa prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Alcea setosa need?
Alcea setosa is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Alcea setosa hardy in the UK?
Alcea setosa has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Alcea setosa?
Seed sown in gentle heat in mid-winter, In-situ in spring.