Alcea rosea

‘Fiesta Time’

FIESTA DOUBLE ROSE HOLLYHOCK

Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’
FIESTA DOUBLE ROSE HOLLYHOCK

Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’ has HUGE frilly, powder-puffs of rose pink.

Huge frilly rose doubles with picotee edges

The fully double, frilly flowers shade from deep berry red centres to rose-pink petals.
Then each petal edge is fringed with a serrated edge, and rimmed with palest pink.
This frosting effect is delightful.

Stouter more wind resistant spires

Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’ has huge flowers, but borne on stouter, shorter, more wind resistant spires.
‘Fiesta Time’ has been recently bred, and has some useful developments over older varieties, including larger flowers and compact growth.
With special attention given to stouter stems to proudly hold the weight of these big, impressive, petal filled blooms.
The flower stems reach only 75-90cm. high.

Impressive blooms all the way round

The modern breeding of ‘Fiesta Time’ also means the huge blooms pack the spires densely, and bloom all the way round the stems. Rather than blooming just on one side of the stem, as some of the older varieties do.

Handsome foliage & impressive cut flowers

A handsome foliage clump is also an asset.
While the flower packed stems can be cut for majestic flower arrangements.
So Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’ makes a big impact in both garden and vase.

Water-wise & low maintenance

Hollyhocks are tough and easily grown plants for Full Sun, though they will also thrive in positions with a little Part Shade.
They are usefully hardy in heat, dry, frost and wide range of soils.
And can manage on minimal extra watering, especially in well composted or mulched soil.
They really appreciate getting plenty of air-flow.

Hardy in frost

Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’ is very frost tolerant, and able to withstand winter temperatures down below -20°C.

Flourishes in a wide range of soils

‘Fiesta Time’ Hollyhocks thrive in soils from sandy to clay, though they cannot tolerate waterlogged soils.
And will also flourish in soils with a pH on both the acid and alkaline side of neutral.

While a little pampering with fertilizer, organic matter or compost will reward with bumper, loaded towers of flowers.

Suitable for coastal gardens

Hollyhocks are especially suitable for coastal gardens and exposed sites, as they do like to be well-aired. This will keep them nice and healthily spot free.
‘Fiesta Time’ is happily self-supporting on strong, stout stems, unless the winds are howling gales.

Low maintenance

Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’ is a thoroughly low maintenance plant, only needing to have the spent flower stems cut to the ground after each flowering session. And this also encourages more flower spires to come on.

Enjoys a dousing with Seaweed / Fish Emulsion

Dousing with seaweed or fish emulsion products from time to time, will also give Hollyhocks a health boost to ward off any summer rust virus that may come their way.
(Fortunately the rust that can sometimes affect Hollyhocks in humid mid-summer conditions, is particular to the Mallow family, and does not spread to other species. If the worst comes to the worst – you can deal with it by chopping the clump back hard and starting fresh growth – by which time the humid conditions have passed).

Suitable for pots too

Recently bred ‘Fiesta Time’ is also a Hollyhock to show off in a feature pot.
With its more compact, stout growth; improved health and hardiness; and super sized blooms – it is very suitable for growing in containers, unlike some of the taller, older varieties.

Deer & rabbit resistant

Hollyhocks are usually low on the menu selection for rabbits and deer. While not completely immune, they are rarely troubled by nibbling pests.

Gently self seeds where happy

Happily Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’ will gently self seed for you in suitable conditions, without ever becoming a nuisance.
Sadly for tropical gardeners, Hollyhocks are not suitable for areas with very humid summers.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & kids

Sow seeds of Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’ any time indoors in a punnet, or scatter directly in garden from late winter to spring.

Indoors for quick plants: First sow the seeds on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then pat gently into the surface of the mix and only just barely cover with sieved mix, sand or vermiculite.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight).

Temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.

And continue to keep moist by placing a plastic lid or bag over the sown punnet, and misting the mix surface with a spray water bottle when required.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 14-21 days.

Seed Count:  10 large seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve)

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/