Alcea rosea 'Simplex'

The Alcea rosea 'Simplex' is a simple version of the hollyhock, the quintessence of this authentic perennial that wanders so naturally in abandoned gardens. It reaches towards the sky, offering large spikes adorned with single flowers, graceful like those of hibiscus, in a varied palette of shades. This classic variety is timeless, and truly perfect in the background of a border. It thrives in poor, rocky soils, shows tolerance to drought, and prefers warm locations.

The hollyhock 'Simplex' is also known by its Latin name Althaea rosea 'Simplex', and its vernacular names adopt all the accents of our regions: it is called Passe-rose, Rose à bâton, Rose papale or primerose. From the mallow family, it is native to Asia Minor and often naturalised in neglected gardens, fallow fields, and mounds of soil. This 'Simplex' variety is part of an old series, with plants showing various colours and proving to be truly perennial and not biennial. It is an upright, usually unbranched plant that can reach a height of 1.20 to 1.80m (4 to 6ft). It forms a rosette of rounded leaves from which a robust floral spike emerges, with very rapid growth. These spike-like inflorescences are covered with large buds that bloom, staggered from June to August, sometimes even until October, and from bottom to top, into large single flowers (5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) in diameter) that only last for a day. They display soft or vibrant hues, white, different shades of pink, or light red to dark red, solid or almost bicoloured, and a texture that allows the green reflections of the surrounding vegetation to shine through. Throughout this period, they will attract bees and butterflies to your garden. The flowering gives way to numerous fruits filled with seeds that self-sow in the most unexpected areas, chosen by the plant itself: at the base of walls, in poor, rocky soils, crevices in walls, etc.

The foliage of Alcaea rosea is deciduous. The alternate leaves, 15 cm (6in) long, are pale green. These large leaves are rounded and rough. They are divided into 3 to 7 shallow lobes.

Very common in abandoned gardens or fallow fields in our countryside, the hollyhock is often grown in the background of a border or leaning against a wall that protects it from strong winds. The simple and very bright colours of this variety will allow you to create superb combinations with dwarf buddleias, tall perennials with light foliage (fennel, linaria, Ferula communis, Datisca cannabina, Melianthus major), or with voluptuous grasses like Miscanthus, Panicum, etc. The hollyhock is an edible plant, the flower buds can be consumed raw in salads and the young leaves raw or cooked.

The hollyhock is both ornamental and medicinal. Its seeds yield an oil with drying properties. Rich in mucilage, it has soothing, emollient, expectorant, laxative, and appetising properties.