Growing Chater's Double Mixture Hollyhock Garden Seeds

Hollyhock generally grows so hardy and vigorously that there is little reason to start seeds indoors. Sow directly after final frost in a sunny spot at the north end of the garden and shelter from strong winds. However, for earliest blooming, start Chater's Double Mixture seeds indoors 10-12 weeks prior. Hollyhock seeds can be slow to germinate and may take 21-28 days with full lighting. Early plants may need staking in addition to wind protection. Plants will easily reseed and stick around year after year. Plant 2-3 Chater's Double Mixture hollyhock seeds ¼ inch deep and 18 inches apart in average, medium moist, and well-drained soil in full sun. Hollyhock is drought tolerant but avoid overhead watering to minimize wetting foliage as Chater's Double Mixture is susceptible to molds, mildews, rust, leaf spots, and rot if not properly ventilated. No serious pests but monitor regularly for spider mites and Japanese beetles. Hollyhock seeds are perennials and mature in their 2nd year as 48-60 inch tall uprights with a 12-18 inch wide spread of dense 3-4 inch classic hollyhock blooms in shades of pink, red, rose, yellow, copper, scarlet, white, purple, and maroon. Plants will vigorously reseed themselves and stick around in the garden for as long as you'll have them around.

Alcea rosea, or most commonly known as Common Hollyhock, is native to many temperate expanses in Asia and Europe. In Japan, hollyhock is called aoi and has been an important symbol in Japanese history and culture. It was incorporated as the official seal of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the flower still holds an important place in modern Japanese culture. During the Victorian era, the hollyhock symbolized both "ambition" and "fecundity" in the famous Language of Flowers.