Our Favorite Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks are perennials, biennials or annuals depending on your climate and the species. In USDA zones 9 and 10 they are perennials or biennials. In zones 3 to 8 they may live over the following winter and bloom again if you cut the faded flower stalks off at the base but this is never certain and considered annuals.

Once established in a garden, hollyhocks often self-sow, forming a colony of plants themselves. The seedlings transplant well. These seedlings are easy to transplant on a cool day to avoid excessive heat-wilting.

For more flower stalks, pinch out the growing tips once or twice early in the growing season. This gives shorter plants with more branches.

In zones 6 and below, mulch your plants during the winter. Dormant terminal buds are sometimes injured by freezing so a protective mulch of straw, hay or leaves will help keep them warm.

In wet winter areas, the dormant terminal buds are sometimes injured by rotting. A well-drained place is the key to this problem. Double flowered types may need staking as they fall over after a rain because the flowers will hold a large amount of water. If you live in an area with summer rains, be sure to stake your double hollyhocks well.

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2508 The Watchman Alcea nigra
5 feet tall. A single flowered hollyhock with blooms that are such a deep maroon they appear black. Try planting it where the early morning or late afternoon sun will backlight the flowers.

  Package of 15 seeds $2.25

2238 Hollyhocks Summer Carnival Mix Alcea rosea
Appearing all summer, 4-inch blooms are semidouble or double. Blooms of deep crimson, rose-red, rose, light pink, yellow and white arrive reliably only 4 months from sowing. Very easy in well-drained soil and full sun.
Color: Blooms of deep crimson, rose-red, rose, light pink, yellow and white   Zone: 4-9   Spacing: Variable   Height: 3-5 feet   Start Seeds: Anytime of year inside, for transplanting outside in Spring.

  15 seeds $2.15

2758 Maroon Hollyhock ( Alcea chater )
Deep maroon 3 to 5" double flowers on tall stems on plants growing 72" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

2759 Pink Hollyhock ( Alcea chater )
Mid pink 3 to 5" double flowers on tall stems on plants growing 72" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

2760 Rose Hollyhock ( Alcea chater )
Deep rose 3 to 5" double flowers on tall stems on plants growing 72" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

BM45 Purple Hollyhock ( Alcea chater )
Royal Purple 3 to 5" double flowers on tall stems on plants growing 72" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

2805 Queeny Rose Hollyhock ( Alcea rosea )
AAS, Fleuroselect, dwarf, beautiful purple double anemone flowers on well branched stems, grows about 24" tall.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

2761 Salmon Hollyhock ( Alcea chater )
Salmon 3 to 5" double flowers on tall stems on plants growing 72" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

2762 Scarlet Hollyhock ( Alcea chater )
Scarlet 3 to 5" double flowers on tall stems on plants growing 72" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

2763 Pure White Hollyhock ( Alcea chater )
Pure white 3 to 5" double flowers on tall stems on plants growing 72" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

2764 Chamois Rose Hollyhock ( Alcea chater )
Very unique flowers on tall stems on plants growing 72" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  15 Seed Package $2.15

2765 Chater Mix ( Alcea chater )
A wonderful mix of all the Chater colors.

  Package of 15 seeds $2.25

2767 Powderpuffs Mix ( Alcea rosea )
Huge double 5" flowers, largest of the Hollyhocks, in pastel colors. Grows 60" tall, hardy to zone 3.

  Package of 15 seeds $2.95

2768 Indian Springs Mix ( Alcea rosea )
An early to midseason blooming single Hollyhock in charming white/rose/orange shades, grows about 50" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  Package of 15 seeds $2.25

2769 Rugosa ( Alcea rugosa )
3" pastel yellow flowers all along the stem, grows 60" tall, hardy to zone 5.

  Package of 10 seeds $2.95

2770 Common Hollyhocks ( Alcea officinalis )
Attractive bushy upright plant, white flowers, rose tinged, flowers first year, grows 48" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  Package of 15 seeds $2.25

2773 Creme de Cassis ( Alcea creme de cassis )
Striking veined blackberry blooms, single and semi-double, flowers first year, hardy, grows 60" tall, to zone 4.

  Package of 10 seeds $3.25

2774 Peaches and Dreams ( Alcea )
Superb first year flowering hollyhock with creamy peach blooms some of which are tinged with raspberry pink. Grows 60-70" tall, hardy to zone 3.

  Package of 10 seeds $3.25

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