Alcea rosea Halo Blush seeds - Hollyhock

Hollyhock 'Halo Blush' (Alcea rosea) is a spectacular perennial belonging to the 'Halo' series, known for its beautifully bicoloured single flowers. Its large flowers in a soft pink shade, adorned with a contrasting dark purple heart, bring a romantic and luminous touch to the garden. This easy to grow variety works well in borders, along sunny walls, creating a rustic atmosphere while attracting numerous pollinators. Its cold resistance makes it perfect for all gardens, even in regions with harsh winters.

'Alcea rosea, from the Malvaceae family, originally from the Middle East, has become widely naturalised in Europe. The cultivar 'Halo Blush', selected by breeder Thompson & Morgan in the 2000s, is part of the 'Halo' series, known for its flowers with a strong contrast between petal colour and centre. 'Halo Blush' flowers measure between 10 and 12 cm in diameter and display a delicate gradient from pale pink to a dark purple heart. The plant, reaching heights between 1.50 m and 2 m, stands proudly with its tall, rigid stems adorned with numerous flowers and small leaves. It has a generous flowering period, from June to September, visited by many pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. This very hardy hollyhock can withstand temperatures down to -15°C and thrives in light, well-drained soils, in full sun. The foliage consists of large dark green leaves, slightly rough to the touch. They are heart-shaped and deeply lobed with toothed edges giving them a textured appearance. They are carried on long petioles and measure between 15 and 30 cm wide, depending on their position on the plant. The foliage forms a beautiful mass at the base of the plant, and although it becomes less dense on the flowering stems, it provides a pleasant contrast with the large pale pink flowers.

Aside from 'Halo Blush', the 'Halo' series offers other equally charming colours, such as 'Halo Lavender' (lavender violet with a cream yellow heart), 'Halo Pink' (lavender pink with a yellow heart), and 'Halo Blossom' (white with a red heart). Each variety in the series shares the common characteristic of a contrasting heart, adding a diversity of colours while maintaining visual harmony in the garden.

Hollyhock 'Halo Blush', usually grown as a biennial, can behave as a short-lived perennial in good conditions. It is wonderful in cottage-style gardens or large mixed borders. Pair it with tall sun-loving plants such as mulleins (Verbascum), tall thistles like Onopordum nervosum (or O. acanthium) or "Cotton Thistle", or hastate verbenas 'Pink Spires'. Together, they create a varied display while attracting numerous pollinators.

The hollyhock is both ornamental and medicinal. Its seeds yield an oil with drying properties. Rich in mucilages, it has soothing, emollient, expectorant, laxative, and appetising properties, milder than those of its herbalist cousin, marshmallow (Althea officinalis).