Alcea rosea 'Nigra'

Alcea rosea ‘Nigra’

Hollyhock

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does flower in August

Plant does flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

  • Botanical name: Alcea rosea 'Nigra'
  • Common name: Hollyhock
  • Family: Malvaceae
  • Plant Type: Perennial
Flower colour:

Black

Purple

Foliage colour:

Green

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.

Advertisement

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

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sow
Sow

Do not Sow in January

Do not Sow in February

Do Sow in March

Do Sow in April

Do not Sow in May

Do not Sow in June

Do not Sow in July

Do not Sow in August

Do not Sow in September

Do not Sow in October

Do not Sow in November

Do not Sow in December

Plant
Plant

Do not Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do not Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do Plant in May

Do Plant in June

Do not Plant in July

Do not Plant in August

Do not Plant in September

Do not Plant in October

Do not Plant in November

Do not Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does flower in August

Plant does flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Prune
Prune

Do not Prune in January

Do not Prune in February

Do not Prune in March

Do not Prune in April

Do not Prune in May

Do not Prune in June

Do not Prune in July

Do not Prune in August

Do Prune in September

Do Prune in October

Do not Prune in November

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:

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'