Alcea rosea (Common Hollyhock, 蜀葵 shu kui (Chinese))

Botanical Information

FamilyMalvaceae
GenusAlcea
Speciesrosea
SynonymsAlthaea rosea
CategoryPerennials
OriginOriginally from southwestern Asia (China) and the Balkans and thought to have been introduced into western Europe in the 15th century. It is now widespread and frequently found in most of the temperate northern hemisphere where in some cases it has escaped garden cultivation and is naturalized. It is not currently known to exist in any wild populations.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone2 - 10
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-15 - (-10)
Height1.5 - 2.5 m
Spread0.5 - 1 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodMay, June, July, August, September

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionGenus name is the Latin name from the Greek word alkaia for a kind of mallow.
LandscapeFlowers border/beds, wall-side borders, cottages and informal gardens.
PropagationSeed. Sown in gentle hear in mid-winter or in-situ in spring.
CultivationFull sun and partial-shade. Well-drained, chalk, sand or loam with a neutral, acid or alkaline pH. Avoid the use of overhead watering.
PestsSlugs, caterpillars and flea beetles when young growth. Susceptible to rust, leaf spot and anthracnose. Spider mites and Japanese beetles can be a problem.
Notable SpecimensKincarden, Ontario, Canada.
Leaf DescriptionLarge, heart-shaped leaves that have 3 - 7 lobes and gets progressively smaller towards the top of the spire. Rigid, towering spikes or spires that reach a height of 1 - 2.5 m tall.
Flower DescriptionShowy funnel-shapped flowers. Tall and erect racemes in summer. 10 - 12 cm in diameter, outward-facing, single flowers.
Colour DescriptionFlowers are a purplish-pink, reddish-white or yellow in colour. The leaves are green in colour.
Texture DescriptionThe leaves are rough in texture.

Photographs