Up for sale is one pack of 10 "Purple Rain" Perennial Hollyhock flower seeds (Alcea Rosea). The super hero of hollyhocks, this hybrid variety is very different than other hollyhock as they have the following unique features: a true perennial that will return year after year, will flower in the first year, and rust resistant (but not rust proof). This is a tall variety of hollyhock and creates very dark single petaled purple flowers.

PLEASE NOTE: This hollyhock is seed that is cleaned from the seed pod. It is still a hollyhock seed, just cleaned from the pod. This hybrid hollyhock is a bit more challenging to germinate than traditional hollyhock so please read the directions below before purchasing.

We offer flat rate combined shipping on all orders, no limit on the amount or type of seed packets.

CULTURE

Soil temperature: 68 degrees fahrenheit
Germination lighting: Light
Depth: 1/8"
Germination days: 8-10 days
Plant spread: 24 inches
Plant height: 60''
Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Maturation days: 80 days

These hybrid hollyhock are best started indoors in pots. Sow seeds on the surface of your potting mix and press the seed gently to make contact with your soil. Lightly dust with sand or vermiculite as they need light to germinate.

Keep slightly moist and try to keep between 70-75 degrees until germination. Once your seedlings have their second set of leaves, and are around 3" tall, slowly introduce to full sunlight until you transplant them into your garden. Once again keep cool as if these seeds get too warm they will not germinate and grow correctly.

These hollyhock are a bit different than other varieties as they are a perennial. In the fall after your first frost cut them about 6" above the ground.

A quick note about hollyhock and a fungus called Rust. Even though this hollyhock is known for being Rust resistant, Hollyhock are very susceptible to Rust and we recommend you dust your garden area (after tilling your soil) prior to sowing your seeds with dustable sulfer, which you can get at any home improvement or garden center. In zone 7, in mid march about a month before our last frost, we dust them again just to make sure we don't have any problems with Rust during the summer.