PlantFiles: Hollyhock
Alcea rosea 'Creme De Cassis'

I started from seed last year, and it bloomed this year.

HOLLYHOCK Creme de Cassis - Alcea - Very tall 6-8' - plant 18" apart. zone 3-9. First year blooming, with double, semi-double and singles on the same stem. Deep wine colored blooms with pink fringe.

General Information:
Flower-aholics from late spring through summer, these are the tall stately flowers you looked up to in your grandmother's garden. Although biennial, just allow seeds to fall and the clump will persist for many many years. Rust can be a problem in high humidity. Best selection for the coldest areas (zones 3 & 4), not for the gulf states.

Plant Care:
Although biennial, just allow seeds to fall and the clump will persist for many many years. Rust can be a problem in high humidity. Best selection for the coldest areas (zones 3 & 4), not for the gulf states. Plants can be cut back by one-half when 15-18" high to control height.

(from BLUESTONE)

I've grown Creme De Cassis for a few years. I like the flowers, they are quite eye-catching, but the plant overall looks tattered and can be downright ugly from mid-summer onward. Summers in S. Central KY are generally hot and sometimes quite humid, so perhaps it just doesn't like the weather here. lol I planted it towards the back of a flowerbed so the ugly foliage is partially hidden by other nicer looking perennials.

So far no rust problems, but various caterpillars, beetles, and spider mites attack this plant every year. My plant receives full sun from sunup to around noon in its east exposure location, and receives sufficient water from a drip system. It typically gets about 5-6 feet tall and definitely requires staking.

I've enjoyed the flowers despite the overall lackluster performance of the plant. Most of the flowers are double with some singles ocassionally mixed in.