Scientific Name
Alcea rosea 'Nigra'
Common Name(s)
Black Hollyhock
Scientific Classification
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Malvoideae
Tribe: Malveae
Genus: Alcea
Origin
Alcea rosea 'Nigra' is a cultivar of Alcea rosea.
Flower
Color: Deep chocolate-maroon
Bloom Time: Summer
Description
Alcea rosea 'Nigra' is a vigorous biennial or short-lived perennial with rounded shallowly-lobed leaves and deep chocolate-maroon funnel-shaped flowers. It grows up to 6.7 feet (2 m) tall.
The flowers look almost black and grow on rigid, towering spikes or spires, typically reaching up to 8 feet (2.4 m).
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 2a to 9b: from −50 °F (−45.6 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Once you have planted your Hollyhocks, they will need minimal care, but there are a few things you should be aware of when growing Hollyhocks.
First of all, Hollyhocks are a short-lived perennial. This means that most varieties will only live 2 to 3 years. However, their lifespan can be extended by removing growing Hollyhock flowers as soon as they fade. If you live in a non-tropical region, cutting them back to the ground and mulching them will also help.
The one benefit of growing Hollyhock flowers is that they easily reseed themselves. While they may be short-lived, they will continually grow more in their proper growing conditions, which will keep the Hollyhock flowers consistent in years to come.
Growing Hollyhocks also benefit from fertilizer or compost in the spring.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Hollyhocks.
Links
- Back to genus Alcea
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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