Alcea rosea 'Nigra'

Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Common Name: Hollyhock

A novelty selection that is a must have for collectors! Single, deep chocolate-maroon (nearly black!) flowers are produced on tall, strong stalks, opening from the bottom up over a long period in summer. The leaves are deeply lobed in classic alcea form.

Feel free to grow hollyhocks under Black Walnut trees; they are tolerant of the toxic juglone that is emitted through the trees' roots. Hollyhocks are best treated as a biennial or short-lived perennial.

Origin: Not Native to North America

Characteristics:

Height:
4-6 Feet

Spread:
18-24 Inches

Flower Color:
Near-black shades
Purple-red shades

Foliage Color:
Green shades

Hardiness Zone:
2,3,4,5,6,7
Find Your Zone

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

Attributes:

Border plants
Cut flower or foliage
Dried flower or seed heads
Mass Planting
Specimen or focal point

Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips:

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 but can tolerate short periods of drought. They need full sun to really perform in the landscape. Watch for Japanese Beetles; this plant is one of their favorites!

Companions:

	Common/Botanical Name	Zones
	*Pennisetum orientale* 'Karley Rose' PP12909** Common Name: Grass-Ornamental	5,6,7,8,9
	Coreopsis 'Tequila Sunrise' PP9875 Common Name: Tickseed	6,7,8,9
	Hibiscus 'Turn of the Century' Common Name: Rose Mallow	5,6,7,8,9
	*Centranthus ruber* 'Coccineus'** Common Name: Red Valerian	4,5,6,7,8
	*Gypsophila paniculata* 'Pink Fairy'** Common Name: Baby's Breath	3,4,5,6,7,8,9
	*Campanula punctata* 'Cherry Bells'** Common Name: Bellflower-Spotted	3,4,5,6,7,8
	*Liatris spicata* 'Floristan Violet'** Common Name: Gayfeather	3,4,5,6,7,8,9
	*Buddleia davidii* 'Royal Red'** Common Name: Butterfly Bush	5,6,7,8,9,10
	*Caryopteris x clandonensis* 'Summer Sorbet' PP15935** Common Name: Blue Mist Shrub	6,7,8,9

History:

Hollyhocks were known for their curative powers. Because of this, it was one of the first plants brought over to North America from Europe.

While every effort has been made to describe this plant accurately, please keep in mind that the height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates throughout the country. The description of this plant was written based on our experience growing it in Michigan (USDA hardiness zone 5) and on numerous outside resources.

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