Summer Carnival Hollyhock
This biennial was the All-America Winner for 1972. The plants have beautiful 4-5" double blooms with a superb color range and will bloom the first year if started indoors. Grows to about 4 1/2 feet, so it may require some support. While technically a biennial, this one comes back year after year in our experience.
35 seedsĀ
Ā
PLANTING
Alcea rosea
Biennial, zone 4-8
Germination:Ā 10-21Ā days
Germination Temperature:Ā Optimum soil temperatures 60-70ĀŗF
Seed Planting Depth:Ā Sow on the surface and lightly cover, seeds need some light to germinate
Starting Indoors:Ā Start indoorsĀ 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Provide 60-70ĀŗF soil temperature. Transplant after last frost, 18-24ā apart
Sowing Outdoors:Ā Ā Direct sow after the last frost and in the fall
Growth Habit:Ā Columnar
Height and Width:Ā Ā 48-60" by 12-18"
Spacing:Ā 12-24" apart
Light Needs:Ā Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs:Ā Fertile, moist, well-drained
Approximate days to flower from seed:Ā Blooms in the second season
Uses:Ā Cut flowers, back border ofĀ the flower garden, cottage gardens, attracts pollinators
Care:Ā Water seedlings regularly until established. Amend soil with compost before transplanting.Ā Ā Cut back stems as the blooms fade, this encourages more flower production. Leave some seed pods on the plant of you would like it to self-seed.