Hollyhock Spring Celebrities 'Crimson'

Amazing dwarf Hollyhocks. The frilly, double crimson red flowers are big, each bloom is 7-10cm across, and there are up to 75 on a stem! The beautiful flowers are very attractive to butterflies and bees and add a nice vertical appeal to the garden, without staking.

Hollyhock Spring Celebrities ‘Crimson’ is the most compact of all, growing to just 60cm. It took out gold in the prestigious Fleuroselect trials. These trials are highlight the crème de la crème of the plant world.

The Hollyhock ‘Spring Celebrities’ Collection are remarkable, the compact, multi stemmed plants are quick to grow and establish and do not need staking. They add great vertical interest. The beautiful flowers are very attractive to butterflies and bees, and the lower half is covered in handsome, rounded foliage.

Grow Hollyhock ‘Spring Celebrities’ in garden beds, borders or containers. The blooms begin opening from the base and gradually make their way to the top providing a succession of colour.

Hollyhock ‘Spring Celebrities’ grow well in moderately fertile to humus rich, well drained soil. They are best in a full sun position and should be sheltered from strong winds. They grow vigorously and should be fertilised in spring and summer, so they can flower at their best. You will also want to keep moist when they are actively growing.

Hollyhocks are long blooming, short lived perennial plants that will set seed for future generations (non invasive), ‘Spring Celebrities’ will even flower in the first year from seed. You can collect the seed, or allow it to fall for future generations.

The botanical name, Alcea originated from the plant species’ use in medicine. It comes from Altheo which means to heal or to cure. The flowers are edible and the coloured petals are great for jazzing up salads. Actually the whole plant is edible, it’s not overly tasty though.

Originating in China, it came to Europe in the 16th Century where herbalist, William Turner gave it the name ‘holyoke’.

One plant per 15cm pot or for a massed garden effect, 16 plants per square metre.