Alcea rosea Chater's Double Violet seeds - Hollyhock

The 'Chater's Double Violet' Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is a must-have in romantic gardens with its large double flowers of deep mauve-violet. Hardy and very easy to grow, it brings height and elegance to the garden, with its floral spikes rising up to 2.5m high. Whether planted at the back of a border or against a wall, this biennial makes a strong impact. It self-seeds spontaneously, forming colourful colonies throughout the seasons. Its flowering attracts bees and butterflies all summer.

Belonging to the Malvaceae family, the wild Alcea rosea is native to Asia Minor and is often found naturalised in countryside gardens and fallow lands. 'Chater's Double Violet', bred by Thomas Chater in the 19th century, is a cultivar with an erect habit, growing rapidly to reach between 2 and 2.5 metres in height. The plant first forms a rosette of large, lobed, rounded leaves, from which a robust floral stem emerges in the second year. Its spike inflorescences bear large floral buds that gradually open from June-July to August, revealing very double pompom-shaped flowers, around 10 cm in diameter. These violet flowers, with hints of lilac, are arranged in tight clusters along the stem, attracting pollinators. After flowering, it produces dry fruits containing seeds that easily self-sow in unexpected areas of the garden.

The 'Chater's Double Violet' Hollyhock is ideal for creating colourful backgrounds in borders or along a wall, sheltered from wind. Its majestic habit and abundant flowering pair well with tall perennials like Giant Delphiniums. It also combines beautifully with 'Magnus' Coneflowers for a contrast in form and texture, or with 'Jeana' lavender-blue Phlox paniculata and 'The Governor' Lupins, whose summer flowering extends the interest of the border.