Hollyhock - Multicoloured (Alcea rosea)

A beautiful, old-fashioned biennial admired for its tall flower spikes and large, silky blooms in a wonderful mixture of colours. Reaching 2–3 m (6–10 ft) in height, it brings colour and dramatic vertical structure to gardens, fences and walls. The flowers may appear in shades of pink, red, yellow, white and purple. Hollyhocks attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators and readily self-seed once established.

The flowers are edible and, when we are not collecting seeds, we love harvesting them for the kitchen. The large, soft petals can be added fresh to salads, stuffed with savoury or sweet fillings, or used like a natural flatbread or tortilla to scoop up stews, beans, curries and other saucy dishes.

Growing: Sow directly outdoors in spring or late summer, or start indoors for transplanting. Sow shallowly and cover lightly with soil. Grow in full sun in well-drained soil. Hollyhocks tolerate poorer soils and become quite drought tolerant once established. Because they develop a deep taproot, transplant young plants while they are still small. Generally biennial: plants form a leafy rosette and deep root system in the first year, then produce their tall flowering stalk in the second year. Readily self-seeds. Allow good air circulation to reduce the risk of rust.

At least 50 seeds per packet.