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Alcea rosea 'Nigra' or 'The Watchman' / Black Hollyhock / Seeds

(Code: B&T_170)
£ 1.79
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Alcea rosea 'Nigra' or 'The Watchman' / Black Hollyhock / Seeds

An unusual dark-flowered variety of Hollyhock, with big nearly-black to dark plum single flowers from June to July/August.  Plants stand on sturdy stems up to 1.5m high.  They are very good border plants and cut flowers.


Hollyhocks prefer full sun and well-drained soils.


Pack of 50 seeds.  Sow in spring to autumn.  Early spring sowings flower in the first year.  Easy to grow.  Sowing instructions and a colour photo are printed on the packet.


See how your seeds are packed.
Hardiness Hardy short-lived perennial (RHS Hardiness H5)
Flowers June to July/August
Height 1.2 - 1.5m
Spread 0.5 - 1m
Conditions  Plant out in full sun and in well-drained soil.
Sow

Sow in early spring for first year flowers and summer/autumn for next year flowers. 

Sow in cells or plugs of moist seed compost, cover with 5mm of compost or vermiculite and keep at 18 -20°C. Germination takes 1 to 2 weeks.  Spray with a garden fungicide to prevent damping off of seedlings.  Pot on when seedlings are well developed (be careful to prevent root damage), and protect summer/autumn sowings over the first winter in an unheated greenhouse. 
Grow

Water the plants during dry weather.  Stake plants in exposed gardens.  Hollyhocks are prone to rust, which can be treated with a garden fungicide.  The leaves and flowers of Hollyhocks die back in winter, when the dead material can be cut back.  They may regrow again in spring for another two to three years.