Botanical Interests "The Watchman" Hollyhock Seeds

Biennial/Short-lived Perennial up to USDA zone 2. Blooms in summer. 5' to 6' tall. Full sun. From a distance, the dark color of The Watchman is as black as the moonless night sky, but on closer inspection you can see its rich purplish burgundy cast. In 1629, John Parkinson described black hollyhocks as being of a dark red like black blood. Thomas Jefferson grew them at his Monticello estate and loved them nearly as much as he did his roses. Seductive towers of flowers for bees and butterflies, they...

Biennial. From a distance, the dark color of The Watchman is as black as the moonless night sky, but on closer inspection you can see its rich purplish burgundy cast. Seductive towers of flowers for bees and butterflies make an excellent backdrop for pink, red, yellow or white flowers. Instructions inside packet for making old-fashioned hollyhock dolls.

Alcea rosea. This stately heirloom reigns over gardens with lithesome spires studded with magnificent cup-like flowers reminiscent of old English gardens. You may direct-sow them outdoors after the last spring frost date or start them indoors 10 weeks before transplanting out. They may not flower the first year, yet may self-seed in future years if you are lucky. Give them a bit of protection from the wind and have some stakes ready to support their lofty height. Biennial. Summer flowering. Height...

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.