Alcea 'Summer Memories' |
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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
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A cross between A. rosea (the most common species available) and A. ficifolia (robust plants native to Siberia).
This selection consists of single flowers in a wide range of colors including light yellow, white, rose-pink, and deep red. There tends to be a heavier concentration of yellows since this is the color of its parent, A. ficifolia.
'Summer Memories Mix' tends to be more resistant to leaf rust than most hollyhocks. The 7-lobed foliage stays fairly clean and healthy throughout the season.
Feel free to grow them under Black Walnut trees; they are tolerant of the toxic juglone that is emitted through the trees' roots.
Introducer: Walters Gardens, Inc.
Parentage: A. rosea x A. ficifolia
Origin: Not Native to North America
Characteristics:
Height:
6 Feet
Spread:
12-18 Inches
Flower Color:
Multicolored
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Sun or Shade?:
Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
Average water needs
Want to see wings?:
Attracts butterflies
Attracts hummingbirds
How fast should it grow?:
Rapid
When should it bloom?:
Midsummer
How's your soil?:
Average Soil
Fertile Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
Cottage
Eclectic
Hollyhocks provide excellent architectural height in the garden and make good backdrops for lower growing perennials. Try growing them in the cottage garden style by planting them up against a wall or picket fence. Though their stalks are very strong, they may need to be staked if they are planted in a windy site.
Hollyhocks prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil; providing these conditions will help the plants resist disease. They need full sun to really perform in the landscape. Watch for Japanese Beetles; this plant is one of their favorites!
Hollyhocks were known for their curative powers. Because of this, it was one of the first plants brought over to North America from Europe.