This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: Full sun
• Soil: Moderately-fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: Fast
• Hardiness: Fully hardy (but often short-lived)


A tall, robust biennial or short-lived perennial classically seen in cottage gardens, with single, shallowly lobed, rounded leaves and long erect spikes of open funnel-shaped flowers to 10cm (4”) across in shades of white, pink, red, and purple. Excellent for a large and dramatic cut-flower vase.


• Garden care: Water well during dry spells. All hollyhocks are prone to rust and organic control may be obtained by a weekly spray at the beginning of the growing season with neem oil, sulphur, or copper. The undersides of the leaves must be treated. In autumn cut the plants back to 15cm (6in) from the ground.
  
  
• Sowing instructions:
  Under glass, sow seeds 2mm deep in a good quality seed compost and keep moist (but not wet) until they germinate. Thin out when they are large enough to handle and pot on. Gradually harden off before planting out after all risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, sow later in the year directly into a well-prepared bed. Seeds sown in autumn have a better chance of producing flowers in their first summer, while others usually won't flower until the following year.
  
  
  
• Sow: April to September



• Flowering: June to August