Flower Specifications
- Season: Annual
- USDA Zones: 3 - 9
- Height: 60 - 72 inches
- Bloom Season: Summer
- Bloom Color: Mix
- Environment: Full sun
- Soil Type: Well drained, pH 6.1 - 7.8
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 60 - 65F
- Average Germ Time: 21 - 28 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: Do not cover the seed but press into the soil
- Sowing Rate: 2 - 3 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seed moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 24 inches
- Care & Maintenance: See: Hollyhock
Hollyhock (Alcea Rosea Carnival) - Hollyhocks have been grown in the garden for hundreds of years from flower seed. Their tall spikes of lovely crepe-textured flowers making a fine display in summer. Carnival Hollyhock has big, impressive 4-inch double or semidouble blooms in 4 shades beginning low on the stalk, for even more color on every plant. The flowers arise all along tall, sturdy stalks beginning just 4 months from sowing! An annual Hollyhock, Summer Carnival is a long-blooming, very colorful series so garden-worthy that it has received awards. Tall and stately, it blooms all summer for a rich display of big powderpuff blossoms in every shade of pink, rose, red, and yellow! It is perfect for the back of the flower garden where it can proudly put on a colorful show. It will attract both hummingbirds and butterflies.
Establishing Hollyhock from flower seeds is very rewarding. To get a jump start on the growing season, you can certainly sow Hollyhock seeds indoors or in the greenhouse 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost date. Use starter trays and quality starter mix and sow the Hollyhock flower seeds on the surface, pressing them into the soil to make good contact. Keep them consistently moist. Sowing the flower seeds directly outdoors is an option as well. Prepare soil bed, sow the seeds on the surface and dust over them very lightly with loose garden soil. Keep the Hollyhock flower seeds moist until germination has occurred. Young Hollyhocks can be transplanted or even moved to other positions in the garden. During the bloom season, water Hollyhock plants well and use a balanced fertilizer. Be sure to leave the last blooms on the plant even after the petals fall, for they will drop their flower seeds and self-sow, and you'll be rewarded with plenty of new plants come spring. Cut back hard when flowering is done and seeds have dropped.
