Perennial Of The Day

Alcea rugosa

Hollyhock

Type Biennial, perennial

Hardy range 2A to 8A

Height 5' to 6' / 1.60m to 1.80m

Spread 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Yellow

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes This tall plant will need staking if not planted next to a fence or a wall. Remember that cultivars will not come true from seed. This plant is usually grown as a biennial, but can be grown as a perennial if, after flowering, it is cut to 6in/15cm above the ground. Burn the remains.
A. rugosa (Russian Hollyhock) has large, single, yellow (sometimes appearing as yellowish-orange) blooms and deeply lobed foliage. It tends to have less of a problem with hollyhock rust than some of the other cultivars.

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