Hollyhock (Althea)

Alcea rosea Nigra

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately-fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: June and July
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  A cottage garden favourite, hollyhocks come in every colour except purple and blue, which makes them useful companions for many other cottage-style plants. They are a magnet for bees and butterflies, too. This one has towering spires of deep burgundy flowers with yellow throats from June to July and rounded, light green leaves. Its perfect for providing vertical interest in a sunny, well-drained border, and its dramatic, near-black flowers work as well in a contemporary, minimalist garden as in a more traditional setting.
  
  
• Garden care: Water well during dry spells. All hollyhocks are pront to rust. To prevent rust this either spray with Bordeaux Mixture (organic) or Murphy Tumbleblite (non-organic) before the trouble appears, and repeat a couple of times during the summer. In autumn cut the plants back to 15cm (6in) from the ground.