Alcea rugosa aka Hollyhock

Alcea rugosa is a hollyhock in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is native from eastern Europe to the Caucasus. It grows in temperate zones, but is not native to Britain or Ireland. Kew lists it as a perennial, which lives for years. In gardens, its life may be short. It may also act as a biennial, living two years. The RHS lists another name for it: Althaea rugosostellulata.

The plant forms a basal rosette, a low ring of large leaves. Each rough leaf has a heart-shaped outline. It has three, five, or seven lobes. Thick stems grow straight up from this clump and do not branch. The leaves get smaller toward the tops of flower stems. Missouri Botanical Garden says the spires reach 6 feet [1.83 metres]. Its size data gives an upper height of 9 feet [2.74 metres]. It lists a spread of about 2 feet [0.61 metres].

Single, pale yellow flowers grow close to the tall stems. They face out, with a clear staminal column at the centre. This is a column of male flower parts. The low flowers open first, then those higher up. Missouri Botanical Garden lists bloom time as July to August. Its text also says late spring through midsummer. The blooms draw butterflies and hummingbirds. Their pale shade can blend well with purple-flowered buddleias.

Grow this hollyhock in full sun and give it moderate water. It grows in average garden soil that drains well. It takes a range of soils but dislikes wet ground in winter. Missouri Botanical Garden gives USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Cut off faded blooms and spent spikes to help plants live longer. Leave spikes in place to let seeds fall and sprout. The young plants can keep a garden colony going for years. Tall plants may need stakes where wind catches the stems.

Use it to add height at a border's back. It suits cottage gardens and spots by walls or fences. The upright stems give shape without taking much width. Rust, leaf spot, and anthracnose can harm hollyhocks. Reports say Alcea rugosa resists rust well. Spider mites and Japanese beetles may visit too. Pests or disease can leave summer leaves looking ragged. The sources give no advice on eating this species. Nor do they state clearly whether it is toxic.