Alcea rosea

‘Banana’

BANANA DOUBLE HOLLHOCKS

Alcea rosea ‘Banana’
BANANA DOUBLE HOLLYHOCKS

Alcea rosea ‘Banana’ bears full double flowers of softest creamy yellow.

Souffle flowers like bananas blended with whipped cream

The flowers are huge, fluffy, frilly puffballs of softest creamy yellow centres, blending to creamy outer edges.
Looking like souffles of bananas blended with whipped cream.

Striking towers of blooms

In striking stacks of blooms borne up tall, upright 1.8m flower stems.

Handsome foliage clumps

A handsome foliage clump is also an asset.
So Alcea rosea ‘Banana’ makes a strong garden statement to catch all eyes.

Impressive cut flowers

While the towering flower stems can be cut for majestic flower arrangements.

Water-wise & low maintenance

Alcea rosea are tough and easily grown plants for Full Sun, though they can also cope in positions with a little Part Shade.

Hardy in heat dry & frost

They are hardy in heat, dry, frost and wide range of soils, and they really appreciate getting plenty of air-flow.

Flourishes in a wide range of soils & conditions

These rich but tough Banana Double Hollyhocks will accept a wide range of soils, from sandy to clay.
Though they cannot tolerate waterlogged soils.
They will also thrive 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 be rewarded with bumper flower towers.

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.

Strong & self supporting

They are usually happily self-supporting on strong, stout stems.
Though if you are in a site with howling gales you may wish to give your stately spires some shelter or stakes – so they are not bowled over.

Low maintenance

Alcea rosea ‘Banana’ make thoroughly low maintenance plants.
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.
And 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 with humid summer heat.
(Fortunately the rust that can sometimes affect Hollyhocks in humid mid-summers, is particular to the Mallow family.
So it does not spread to other species.

Annual chop back after blooming

If the worst comes to the worst – you can deal with it by chopping the clump back hard thus starting fresh growth – by which time the humid conditions have likely passed).

Gently self sows babies where happy

Happily it 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.

Tall & stately perennial

Alcea rosea ‘Banana’ is a tall and stately, robust growing perennial.
It forms a dense clump of evergreen basal foliage approx. 60cm. Wide.
Then the flower spires rise over all the warm months, soaring up to 1.8m High.
Cutting the first spires back after flowering encourages even more side spires of flowers.

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

Sow seeds of Alcea rosea ‘Banana’ any time indoors in a punnet, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (15-20°C).
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 the 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 the punnet consistently moist by regularly misting the mix surface with a spray water bottle.
Placing a plastic lid or bag over the sown punnet will also help to maintain necessary consistent moisture and prevent drying out.

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)

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