- Botanical name: Alcea rosea 'Nigra'
- Common name: Hollyhock
- Family: Malvaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Black
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Attractive to wildlife
The hollyhock, Alcea, is a classic English cottage garden plant, forming tall erect racemes of large, fully open blooms from summer to early autumn. Plants are typically perennial, but they’re often grown as biennials due to their susceptibility to the fungal disease rust, which can disfigure leaves.
Alcea ‘Nigra’ bears intense, single, deep red-purple flowers that are near black, on dramatic, tall flower spikes. It’s easy to grow and perfect for planting in groups at the back of a sunny border. For best results, grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Cut down Alcea ‘Nigra’ after flowering to encourage fresh basal growth.
How to grow Alcea 'Nigra'
-
Plant size
2m height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do Prune in September |
O
Do Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Alcea 'Nigra' and wildlife
Alcea 'Nigra' is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Alcea 'Nigra' poisonous?
Alcea 'Nigra' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Alcea 'Nigra'
