Alcea or most commonly
known as Hollyhocks are ornamental plants that grow as tall as 11 feet.
You may notice that the flowers look like Hibiscus or Gumamela as it is called in Philippines, although its pistil
is longer than Alcea. And you are right! Alcea flowers look like
Hibiscus flowers because they belong to the same family, mallow family
Malvaceae.
Most varieties are
biennials - they grow foliage the first year, flower the second then
die. Good thing though is that they seed every year and these seeds grow
wherever they fall that easily. We just got a few seedlings and seeds
yesterday, planted them and hope to see them grow come early winter and
blossom early spring next year.
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| ~ Inside these round, purse-like holder are hollyhock seeds (flat coin-shaped) that seem to grow wherever they fall ~ |
The flowers open from the
bottom to the top of the spike throughout summer. No wonder they grow as
tall as 11 feet! Interesting huh! They are best planted along the
fences or places where they can get natural support. They need support! A
giant flower plant like this need support huh...interesting indeed!
Color variations include dark purple, red, white, pink or peach and other color combination of any of these.
Hollyhocks are now one of my favorites! But I believe I like all flowers...hmmm!
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