Hollyhock

Alcea x Althaea Parkallee

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately-fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing in height and spread
• Flowering period:July-September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This tall hollyhock is a hybrid of Alcea rosea and Althaea officinalis. Far from presenting the slender vertical silhouette of traditional hollyhocks, Alcea Parkallee spreads generously in all directions branching from the base to form an open vase shape. Stems are evenly studded with open cupped flowers in light apricot, which fades to a buttermilk cream. Each flower supports a central double frill and pronounced bronze stamens, from July to September. This plant provides voluminous display, requiring a generous 125cm square space in the border to avoid swamping its neighbours.
  
  
• Garden care: Water wellduring dry spells. To prevent 'rust' from taking hold, either spray with Bordeaux Mixture (organic) or Murphy Tumbleblite (non-organic) every 10-14 days. In autumn, give the plants a good trim back to 15cm (6in) from the ground.