Hollyhock 'Country Romance'

Country Romance Hollyhock Mix (Alcea rosea)

Country Romance  brings a nostalgic, cottage-garden charm to the back of your borders with its tall, stately stalks and lush, hibiscus-like blooms in rose, white, maroon, pink, and soft yellow. The 3–4" wide satiny flowers unfurl slowly along 5 to 7-foot stems, providing weeks of colour and vertical interest.

Beloved by bees and pollinators, hollyhocks buzz with life all summer long. They’re wonderfully low-maintenance, growing quickly and thriving with very little care once established.

A biennial or short-lived perennial, hollyhocks form their leafy base in the first year, then put on a spectacular flowering show in year two. Left to set seed, they will self-sow and return naturally. A romantic classic for cutting gardens, fences, or cottage-style borders.

Also known as Common Hollyhock, or Cottage Hollyhock.

Colour mix is not guaranteed

DETAILS:
 
QTY: 20

TYPE: Biennial

SITE: Full Sun - Part Shade

DEPTH: 1/8" 

GERMINATION: 10-14 Days at 15-21°C

HEIGHT: 60 - 84"

MATURITY: 75 - 90 days (Second season)

SPACING: 12"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:

Transplant (recommended): Start seeds indoors in seedling trays 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Sow on the surface of the soil or cover lightly, as some light aids germination. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.

Direct Sowing (alternative): Direct sowing can be done after the last frost, but germination may be slower and less reliable.

Pinching and Support: Hollyhocks typically do not require pinching. Deadheading spent flowers after the first flush of blooms can encourage reblooming in late summer to fall. Allow some flowers to go to seed in autumn if you want them to self-sow and return the following year. Taller varieties may require staking to prevent their heavy flower stalks from toppling over.

Soil Preference and Watering: Hollyhocks prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal issues.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not typically necessary for hollyhocks. A single application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer at planting time is usually sufficient.

Harvesting: For bouquets, harvest stems when the flowers at the bottom of the stalk have begun to open.

Other Tips: Hollyhocks will focus on foliage and root development in the first season, with blooms appearing in the second year. They are ideal for borders, pollinator gardens, and cut flower production.