Hollyhock 'Summer Carnival' Seeds

Hollyhock 'Summer Carnival' is technically a Hardy Annual (or short-lived perennial).

Unlike traditional biennial hollyhocks (which grow leaves in Year 1 and flowers in Year 2), this variety will bloom in Year 1 if sown early enough (Jan/Feb). It will often survive winter to bloom again the following year, but it is best treated as an annual for the most vigorous display.

Top Tip: Because the flowers are so double and heavy, they make excellent cut flowers. Sear the stem ends in boiling water for 10 seconds to make them last longer in a vase.

To get flowers in the first year, you must start early.

Germination:
Sow indoors from January to March. Sow seeds 1cm deep in individual pots or modules (they have a taproot and hate root disturbance). Keep warm (15-20°C). Germination takes 14-21 days.

Where to Sow:
They demand full sun and rich, fertile soil. They are hungry plants, so dig in plenty of manure or compost before planting out. They look best at the back of a border or against a sunny wall.

Care While Growing:
Rust: Hollyhocks are prone to rust (orange spots on leaves). To prevent this, water at the base (never on the leaves) and give them plenty of space for air to circulate. Remove lower leaves if they look spotty.
Staking: In windy gardens, these tall spikes will need a bamboo cane for support.

The tall spikes of Hollyhocks often have "bare legs" (leaves that get tatty near the ground). Hide them with these bushy partners:

• 🌸 Cosmos 'Sensation Mixed': The Foliage Cover. The tall, ferny foliage of Cosmos grows to about 1m, perfectly hiding the lower stems of the Hollyhocks while adding a cloud of daisy flowers around them.
• 🎨 Zinnia 'Lilliput Mix': The Colour Echo. The vibrant, pom-pom flowers of the Zinnia echo the double shape and bright colours of the 'Summer Carnival' mix, creating a coordinated, tiered border.

Sow indoors Jan-March for flowers THIS year. Sow outdoors June-July for flowers NEXT year.