Alcea, Common Hollyhock, Garden Hollyhock 'Nigra'

Alcearosea

Family
Malvaceae (mal-VAY-see-ee)
Genus
Alcea (al-KEE-uh)
Species
rosea (RO-zee-uh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Dark Purple/Black
Maroon/Burgundy
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Biennials
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Anchorage, Alaska

Amesti, California

Corralitos, California

Elkhorn, California

Emeryville, California

Interlaken, California

Pajaro, California

San Mateo, California

Watsonville, California

Smyrna, Delaware

Plainfield, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois

Springfield, Illinois

Indianapolis, Indiana

Dubuque, Iowa

Peosta, Iowa

Cumberland, Maryland

Madison Heights, Michigan

Webberville, Michigan

Mathiston, Mississippi

Mount Laurel, New Jersey

Granville, New York

Thomasville, North Carolina

Fargo, North Dakota

Warren, Ohio

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma(2 reports)

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Portland, Oregon

Coopersburg, Pennsylvania

Sumter, South Carolina

Lafayette, Tennessee

Rockwall, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Tremonton, Utah

Roanoke, Virginia

Cathan, Washington

John Sam Lake, Washington

Kalama, Washington

North Marysville, Washington

Priest Point, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Shaker Church, Washington

Spokane, Washington

Stimson Crossing, Washington

Weallup Lake, Washington

Elkins, West Virginia

Cameron, Wisconsin

Mukwonago, Wisconsin

Kinnear, Wyoming

Riverton, Wyoming

Sundance, Wyoming

show all

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Gardener's Notes:

6
positives
4
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
M
M
Louisville, KY | April 2012 | positive

Started from seeds last year. Planted beside a concrete block shed in poor soil with no amendments. After an extremely mild winter in K...Read More

B
Cameron, WI (Zone 3b) | August 2011 | positive

Wow! What amazing blooms! You'll definitely want to stake these. Mine were at least 6 feet tall and had blooms almost all the way up the ...Read More

C
Rockford, IL (Zone 5a) | July 2010 | positive

Taken from an excerpt from somewhere in my research.

“Black Hollyhock was described as early as 1629 by John Parkinson, ...Read More

M
Marin, CA (Zone 9b) | May 2010 | neutral

I planted mine form small pots last fall, and they have been growing into 7 feet tall plants, no flowers yet, fat buds yes.
The fo...Read More

G
Smyrna, DE (Zone 7a) | June 2007 | positive

I started this from seed last summer and it wintered over very well. I didn't even bother to trim it back since it wasn't that tall. It g...Read More

B
Lakemont, GA (Zone 8a) | March 2007 | positive

While I don't grow this particular named one, I do grow another "black" hollyhock- 'The Watchman'. In my humble, non-expert opinion there...Read More

D
comebychance, NL (Zone 5b) | February 2006 | neutral

ped i think its a biannual most hollyhocks are,i know i grow night watchman it was a the nices hollyhock i ever grow and wouldnt you know...Read More

P
P
Ped
Mt. Pearl, NL (Zone 5b) | July 2003 | neutral

When I bought this plant, it was called a Texas Hollyhock. when it bloomed, it was the most beautiful flower and I was so happy. That was...Read More

A
Anchorage, AK (Zone 4b) | February 2003 | positive

Love this magnificent plant. The flowers are absolutely the closest you will find to black anywhere. I have several black hollyhocks an...Read More

B
B
Baa
| January 2003 | neutral

One of the 'black' flowered cultivars of Hollyhock. It bears large, dark purple/maroon flowers with a pale yellow throat.

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