This biennial was the All-America Winner for 1972. The plants have beautiful 4-5″ double blooms with a superb color range and will bloom the first year if started indoors. Grows to about 4 1/2 feet, so it may require some support. While technically a biennial, this one comes back year after year in our experience.

35 seeds

PLANTING

Alcea rosea

Biennial, zone 4-8

Germination:10-21days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 60-70F

Seed Planting Depth:Sow on the surface and lightly cover, seeds need some light to germinate

Starting Indoors:Start indoors6-8 weeks before the last frost. Provide 60-70F soil temperature. Transplant after last frost, 18-24 apart

Sowing Outdoors:Direct sow after the last frost and in the fall

Growth Habit:Columnar

Height and Width:48-60″ by 12-18″

Spacing:12-24” apart

Light Needs:Full sun to part shade

Soil Needs:Fertile, moist, well-drained

Approximate days to flower from seed:Blooms in the second season

Uses:Cut flowers, back border ofthe flower garden, cottage gardens, attracts pollinators

Care:Water seedlings regularly until established. Amend soil with compost before transplanting.Cut back stems as the blooms fade, this encourages more flower production. Leave some seed pods on the plant of you would like it to self-seed.