About
A tall, bushy deciduous perennial to 1.4m in height with lobed, softly hairy, grey-green leaves. Tall spires of light pink single, hollyhock-like flowers are produced from mid-summer to early autumn.
About the genus
× Alcalthaea are bigeneric hybrids between Alcea and Althaea. They are tall, branching, short-lived perennials with hairy foliage and spires of pink, cream or yellow flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationBest in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position. May need staking. See staking perennials
PruningCut down to ground once flowering is over
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings, does not produce seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mallow flea beetles or aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust