Alcea rosea
Days to Blooming: 1st Fall or 2nd Season
A stunning ornamental, pollinator, and natural dye flower, Jet Black Hollyhock yields a range of dye colors from bluish-purple to gray to teal. Read more about its use as a natural dye plant here. Its flowers are close to black in color, with a deep red undertone, and they bloom from late spring all the way into fall! Jet Black Hollyhocks are a pollinator favorite, attracting bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds.
While Jet Black Hollyhocks are technically a biennial flower, once established they will last for decades as they self-seed and divide.
Fun fact: Jet Black Hollyhocks were grown in Thomas Jefferson's garden at Monticello. A true heritage heirloom variety!
Planting Instructions: Plant Jet Black Hollyhock seeds 1/4" deep, 3-6" apart in late spring, close to last expected frost date. May be planted when light frost is still possible. Enjoys full sun. Perfect as a fast-growing, tall focal point in ornamental gardens-- plant against a fence or as a backdrop to shorter flowers in front.
Seed Saving Instructions: Crumble Jet Black Hollyhock seeds off flowerhead when fully mature and dry. Store seeds in a paper or mesh bag in a cool, dark and dry location.
Approximately 50 Jet Black Hollyhock seeds per packet