Hollyhock

Alcea

Alcea ficifolia ( Figleaf Hollyhock )
A very fast growing biennial ( often perennial if cut back after blooming ) reaching up to 7 x 3 feet, that is native to Siberia. It may act as a perennial if cut back to the basal foliage immediately after flowering.
The deeply 7-lobed leaves, up to 7 inches across, are mid-green.
The single or double flowers, up to 5 inches across, are borne on spikes during early summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 in full sun on well drained soil. It is moderately rust resistant.

Alcea pallida ( Eastern Hollyhock )
Similar to Alcea rosea but only reaching up to 6 x 2 feet and is native from central to southeastern Europe. It is also resistant to leaf rust unlike Alcea rosea. It is usually a biennial. The woolly foliage is grayish to gray-green.
The rosy-pink ( centered greenish-yellow ) flowers are borne early summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 6.

Alcea rosea ( Common Hollyhock )
A large biennial, reaching up to 8 x 3 feet, though plants as large as 27 x 5 feet are known to have existed. It may have originated in the wild in Turkey however has been in cultivation for centuries. It no longer exists in the wild other than scattered locations around the world where it has escaped cultivation
The deeply-lobed leaves are up to 12 inches wide. The rough foliage is bright green.
The single or double flowers, up to 6 ( rarely over 4 ) inches across, are borne during much of the summer.
The flowers are variable in color ranging from white, yellow to pink, red or purple.
Hardy zones 3 to 6 in full sun on fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil. It may be prone to rust in regions with humid and hot summers. Seed can be sown early in a greenhouse or sown directly outdoors during mid-spring. Where rust is a problem, cut plants down to 6 inches after flowering and burn the prunings to get rid of spores which may overwinter.

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photos of unknown internet source

* historical archive photo

* photos taken on July 14 2016 in Tobermory, ON

* photos taken on July 9 2022 in Bayfield, ON

'Chater's Pink'
Reaches up to 8 feet with double pink flowers.

'Chater's Scarlet'
Reaches up to 8 feet with double scarlet-red flowers.

'Chater's Violet'
Reaches up to 8 feet with double violet flowers.

'Chater's White'
Reaches up to 8 feet with double white flowers.

'Nigra'
Reaches up to 6 feet, with blackish-purple flowers.

'Old Farmyard'
Reaches up to 10 feet with large single flowers of various colors.

'Simplex'
Reaches up to 6 x 2 feet, bearing single flowers of various colors.

'The Watchman'
Reaches up to 6 feet, with deep blackish-red, single flowers borne all summer long.

Alcea rugosa ( Russian Hollyhock )
A biennial or short-lived perennial, reaching up to 9 x 3 feet, that is native to the Black Sea region in the Ukraine and Russia.
The foliage is gray-green.
The showy, single, mid-yellow flowers are borne along sturdy stocks from mid-summer well into fall.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun on well drained soil. It is drought tolerant and resistant to rust. It may self seed but not invasively.

* photo taken on Aug 1 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photos taken on Aug 2 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photo taken on Aug 24 2017 @ U.S. Botanic Garden, Wash. DC.