Flower Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 5 - 9
- Height: 36 inches
- Bloom Season: Summer
- Bloom Color: Purple
- Environment: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Well-drained, pH 5.8 - 7.2
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 70 - 75F
- Average Germ Time: 14 - 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 seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 36 inches
- Care & Maintenance: See: Hollyhock
Hollyhock (Malva Sylvestris Mauritiana) - Also known as Tree Mallow, this Hollyhock will bloom the first year from seed. This very showy perennial with 2 - 3 inch lavender to purple blooms will put on a profuse display of color. It reaches 36 inches tall and nearly as wide. It is often a short-lived perennial, but it liberally drops its own flower seeds to continue producing the wonderful flowers year after year. It makes such a statement in the garden that all of your visitors will ask what it is. Heat and drought are not a problem for this perennial.
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. After bloom season, cut back the stalks hard, down to just 3 - 4 inches above ground and continue to water and fertilize. Depending on your location and growing season, the Hollyhock plants may come back for a second bloom in late summer or early fall.
