Tall, dark and handsome. Shades of darkest night battle with deep purples are red tones in the large flowers of this extraordinary hollyhock. Part of the famous 'Spotlight' cultivars of hollyhocks, this towering perennial provides marries consistent color, with disease resistance and longevity to yield a high performing Alcea worthy of a place in the garden. Blooming in Midsummer, this is a perfect plant for following up on spring or early summer bloomers like Phlox, Iris, or Allium. Since Hollyhock are tall they make a great backdrop for other flowering perennials. Planted along a wall or fence they will give the garden depth with other mid-sized plants in front of them.

Photo Credit: Walter Gardens

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.

Alcea rosea 'Blacknight' - Hollyhock

Hollyhocks prefer soil that is rich and remains moist. Its often a good idea to spend a few years growing easier cultivars and top dressing the garden with compost and mulch each year to provide excellent conditions if your soil is questionable. You'll want to plant them in full sun for best performance and they can be planted around walnut trees as they are immune to the toxic effects. When thinking about a location for your hollyhocks remember that they provide excellent height, even the shorter cultivars come in around 3 ft. tall. They have strong stems, so typically they don't fall, but if you have them in an exposed and windy site they maybe staked to avoid collapse. Japanese beetles love Hollyhock, so you'll need to be aware of them.