Alcea rosea var. Nigra

‘Jet Black’

JET BLACK HOLLYHOCKS

Alcea rosea var. Nigra ‘Jet Black’
JET BLACK HOLLYHOCKS

Alcea rosea var. Nigra ‘Jet Black’ is deeply, darkly, mysteriously black selection of the good old, hardy Nigra Hollyhocks.

Exotic black silken beauty

This exotic beauty bears large single blooms that are deepest dramatic maroon-black, as close to black as you can get.
Petals are strikingly glossy, as if cut from black silk.
And are borne on tall, upright 1.8m flower stems.

Striking garden display

So Alcea rosea var. Nigra ‘Jet Black’ is very arresting.
Looking particularly sensational amongst white or red flowers, planted as a backdrop or amongst them.
Though its black, moody beauty sets off flowers of any other colour.

For formal contemporary designs or informal rustic gardens

Alcea rosea var. Nigra ‘Jet Black’ is a stunner in very contemporary formal garden designs as well as informal rustic gardens.

Handsome foliage & impressive cut flowers

A handsome foliage clump is also an asset.
While the towering flower stems can be cut for majestic flower arrangements,

Magnet for bees & pollinating friends

Or flowers tems can be left to reel in the bees, beneficial pollinating insects and native honey-eater birds. Who all adore them.

Water-wise & low maintenance

Alcea rosea var Nigra ‘Jet Black’ is tough and easily grown in Full Sun to Part Shade.
Because it is hardy in heat, dry, frost and wide range of soils.

Thrives in a wide range of soils

So it will accept soils from sandy to clay, though it cannot tolerate waterlogged soils.
And can 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.
Then an extra dousing with seaweed or fish emulsion products from time to time, will really give them a health tonic.

Suitable for coastal gardens

Hollyhocks are also suitable for coastal gardens and exposed sites, as they do like to be well-aired. Though you may wish to give your stately spires some shelter from howling gales so they are not bowled over. They are usually happily self-supporting on strong stems.

Low maintenance

Alcea rosea var Nigra ‘Jet Black’ 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.
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 very humid areas.

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

Sow any time indoors in punnets, whenever suitable temperatures ae available (15-20°C).
OR
Sow directly in the garden from late winter to spring.

Sow indoors for quick plants & early flowers: 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.
These plants need light to germinate, so do not bury deeply.

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: 50 seeds per pack approx.

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