Alcea rosea
Hollyhock
Common names: Stock rose
Photo: Hanay · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is a biennial to short‑lived perennial in the mallow family. It produces flower stalks up to two meters tall in white, pink, red, purple, and almost black, a common sight in cottage gardens. In its first year it forms only a low rosette of leaves; from the second year the unbranched stem shoots upward with tiered, funnel‑shaped flowers. It is best planted against fences, walls, or as a tall backdrop in perennial beds. The flowers are edible and can be used for tea or as salad garnish.
Care instructions
Plant the hollyhock in full sun, preferably wind‑protected such as a south‑facing or fence wall, where it receives reflected heat. The soil should be deep, well‑drained, and rich in humus to allow the taproot to develop freely; it does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Water regularly during dry periods, close to the soil surface, to prevent mallow rot. To encourage continuous blooming, leave some spent stems with mature seeds and remove them only in spring.
Soil & site
Diseases & pests
2 relevantFrom the knowledge base, automatically linked by affected species. How to spot and prevent them is covered in full in the lexicon.
Pyrrhocoris apterus
The firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus) is a noticeable, red-black patterned bug that likes to gather in large groups on sunny warm spots, often directly on the trunk of Stockrose, Malve, Eibisch, or…
More on FirebugPuccinia malvacearum
Hollyhock rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia malvacearum and attacks hollyhocks, mallows, marshmallow and mallow grown as a vegetable.
More on Hollyhock rustNotes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?