Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
The hollyhock, Alcea, is a classic English cottage garden plant, forming tall erect racemes of large, fully open blooms from summer to early autumn. Hollyhocks are typically perennial, but they're often grown as biennials due to their susceptibility to the fungal disease rust, which can disfigure leaves.
Alcea 'O Hara' is a double-flowered hollyhock cultivar, bearing masses of fully double, bright scarlet blooms, on tall stems. It’s perfect for a mixed herbaceous border and makes an excellent cut flower. For best results grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Flowers may be spoiled by wind and rain, so choose a sheltered spot if possible. Cut down Alcea 'O Hara' after flowering, to encourage fresh basal growth.
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Alcea ‘O hara’ and wildlife
Alcea ‘O hara’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
