The Hollyhock Duo is a delightful combination of two stunning Hollyhock varieties, chosen for their striking height, vibrant blooms, and classic cottage garden appeal. Known for their towering flower spikes and bold colours, this duo adds dramatic vertical interest and seasonal colour to garden borders, flower beds, and cut flower arrangements. Hollyhocks are quintessential cottage garden plants. Their majestic stature and lush blooms create a romantic, nostalgic feel in the garden, making them ideal for creating a classic, rustic garden or a backdrop for smaller plants in mixed borders. The large, showy blooms of Hollyhocks are particularly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making them an excellent choice for a wildlife-friendly garden.
Hollyhock Duo comprises the following varieties:
Hollyhock ‘Nigra’ - A show-stopping variety with dark, velvety flowers that make a bold statement in any garden. Growing up to 8 feet tall, this cottage garden classic offers a dramatic vertical display with a rich contrast of purple-black blooms and yellow centers.
Alcea rosea (Common Hollyhock) - A classic garden favorite, offering dramatic height and vibrant colour to any landscape. With its tall flower spikes and large blooms, it’s ideal for creating vertical interest and bold statements in an array of elegant shades through pink, purple, red, white and yellow.
Height: 180cm (71in). Spread: 60cm (24in).
Growing Information
These bareroot plants are lifted from the nursery field when dormant, and sent to you in late autumn or spring for planting. They often look dead on arrival, but they are just resting in the dormant period and will establish quickly for a strong start in the garden come spring.
Plant bareroots at the earliest opportunity following delivery. If conditions prevent immediate planting, set roughly into loose soil or a pot of compost (‘heeling in’) to protect the roots. The growth points of most bare root perennials should be set about an inch below the soil surface.
Plant out Hollyhocks in sunny borders in fertile, well drained soil. Choose a position that is sheltered from strong winds. Space hollyhock plants at least 60cm (24") apart to improve air circulation and help prevent hollyhock rust.
Feed and water regularly until hollyhocks are fully established. Support their tall stems with bamboo canes as the flower spikes develop. In autumn, cut back the old foliage and faded hollyhock flower stems, and apply a mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost to the base of the plant.
