Alcea rosea is commonly known as a hollyhock. They are in the Malvaceae family. Hollyhocks need a spot in full sun that receives about 8 hours a day. They are typically annual or bi-annual plants, with some varieties being perennials. I would say it makes a great background plant in any cottage garden. I purchased the ‘Halo Apricot' from Annie's Annuals back in 2021. It reaches at least 5' tall, and has done wonderful in pots, and has given me several new plants along the way, so definitely seems as a perennial, rather bi-annual. I have tried it as a cut flower, but it only lasted a few days. They will tolerate a wide range of soils. I have heard that the darker varieties prefer sandy soil, while the paler varieties like a soil with more clay. It has a long blooming cycle from summer all the way through fall. You can easily grow by seed, in either the spring or fall. Just pick a spot and place seeds ¼ “ down in the soil, and once spring comes, they will start to pop up. I am looking forward to trying new varieties this year. As I always do, I will go to Annie's Annuals this spring to try new garden favorites. My love of flowers and plants just grows and grows!
