Hollyhock
Alcea rosea
- Native to:
- Türkiye
PJDespa
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Genus:
- Alcea
- Species:
- Alcea rosea
- USDA Symbol:
- ALRO3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 250 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, red, white, yellow, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Bucculatrix quadrigemina, Burdock Borer (Papaipema cataphracta), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), Celery Looper (Anagrapha falcifera), clandestine dart (Spaelotis clandestina), Common Looper Moth (Autographa precationis), Cotton looper (Anomis flava), cotton tipworm (Crocidosema plebejana), European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), glassy cutworm (Apamea devastator), Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), Platyedra subcinerea, Purple Arches (Agrochola purpurea), Red-banded leafroller (Argyrotaenia velutinana), Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Tischeria omissa, Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Yellow scallop moth (Anomis erosa), Yellow Shoulder (Acontia aprica), Common streaky-skipper (Celotes nessus), Northern White-Skipper (Heliopetes ericetorum), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to areas with well-drained soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; sow directly in garden after last frost or start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost.
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)