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Alcea rosea 'Simplex'

Alcea rosea Simplex
Rose-trémière, Passe-rose, Passerose, Rose trémière, Rose papale

4,2/5
35 reviews
5 reviews
3 reviews
5 reviews
5 reviews

Recovered well, but didn't flower this year; we'll see next year...

Annick, 23/09/2024

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

This simple version is the essential of the hollyhock, a genuine perennial that naturally wanders in abandoned gardens. It reaches towards the sky, offering the sun tall stalks adorned with single flowers, graceful like those of hibiscus, in a wide variety of shades. This classic variety is timeless and perfect as a backdrop in a flowerbed. It thrives in poor and stony soil, is tolerant to drought, and prefers warm locations.
Flower size
7 cm
Height at maturity
1.80 m
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -18°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
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Flowering time June to October
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Description

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.

Alcea rosea 'Simplex' in pictures

Alcea rosea 'Simplex' (Flowering) Flowering
Alcea rosea 'Simplex' (Foliage) Foliage
Alcea rosea 'Simplex' (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour multicoloured
Flowering time June to October
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 7 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.80 m
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate fast

Botanical data

Genus

Alcea

Species

rosea

Cultivar

Simplex

Family

Malvaceae

Other common names

Rose-trémière, Passe-rose, Passerose, Rose trémière, Rose papale

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference716211

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Planting and care

Hollyhocks appreciate hot situations, sun, and adapt to ordinary soil, even clay, limestone, poor or stony soil. These plants with taproot do not appreciate transplantations when they are too developed. Care must be taken not to break this taproot during handling. The rosea species is resistant to drought and very hardy, it fears slugs and is particularly sensitive to rust. Excess moisture should be avoided and treated preventively with a fungicidal. In October, remove the faded flower spikes.
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Planting period

Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -18°C (USDA zone 7a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, draining and deep

Care

Pruning instructions In October, remove the faded flower stalks.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time October
Disease resistance Average
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,2/5

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