Hollyhock Chater's Maroon

Hollyhock Chater's Maroon — variety description

Hollyhock Chater's Maroon (Alcea rosea) is a biennial flower of the mallow family (Malvaceae). A showy perennial hollyhock with large, densely clustered flowers in a deep dark burgundy.

Flowers for a long time in summer and adds a vertical accent to the garden.

Suitable for mixed groups, cottage-style corners and alongside fences or walls.

The garden hollyhock is an imposing cottage-garden flower with spikes up to 2–2.5 m tall, loaded with flowers in white, pink, red and almost black. Self-seeds and stays in the garden for years.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 84%
• Seeds per packet: 170–230 pcs (0.4 g)
• Seed origin: Netherlands
• Sowing: February – April; direct or seedlings
• Flowering: June – August
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Hollyhock Chater's Maroon

Hollyhock Chater's Maroon seeds are sown in February – April. The plants flower in June – August. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Hollyhock Chater's Maroon

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 1–1.5 cm
• Spacing: 40–50 cm
• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow the seeds in February/March in nutrient-rich soil and transplant in May. Requires moderate watering, taking care not to overwater. Direct sowing is done in April/May at 60cm. between rows and 30cm. within the row.

Sow in May–July — the plants flower the following summer. Plant next to a fence or wall, in sun and shelter; tall plants should be staked.

Flowering and uses

Flowers from June to August; remove leaves affected by rust.

Frequently asked questions

When should Hollyhock Chater's Maroon be sown?

The recommended sowing months are February – April. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 170–230 seeds, pack size 0.4 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 84%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Does the hollyhock flower in its first year?

Usually not — it is a biennial. If sown for seedlings in February, some plants flower that same summer.