Description
Alcea – Hollyhock –
There are about 60 species of biennials and short-lived perennials, in this genus. They are native to regions of temperate Europe and Asia. It was brought to England from the Holy land during the Crusades. Usually occurring in rocky sites and open dry grassy wasteland. They can grow 8’ feet tall bearing in summer slender inflorescences of funnel shaped 5 petal brightly colored flowers. The flowers attract bees and butterflies.
There quite frost hardy and will grow in moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun. They may require stalking.
Prone to hollyhock rust, as well as bacterial fungal leaf spots, fungal leaf spots. Southern blight, cut worms, slugs, Mallow flea beetles, aphids, Japanese beetles, and capsid bugs are sometimes are problem.
Alcea ficifolia – This erect biennial or short-lived perennial is native to Siberia and grows 8’ feet tall and 3’ feet wide. It bears rounded 5-7 lobed conspicuously veined rough mid green leaves that are 7” long. Terminal spikes of single sometimes-double yellow flowers 3” wide are borne in summer.
Zones 3-9
