Alcea rugosa (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period:
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 2m
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Malvaceae
Alcea rugosa is an evergreen biennial/ short lived perennial with an upright habit. Its mid green leaves are palmate with dentate margins and form a basal rosette for its first year of growth. Its yellow flowers are up to 10cm across and appear on erect stems.
Alcea rugosa, commonly known as the Yellow Fig-Leaved Hollyhock or Russian Hollyhock, is native to the Ukraine and Southern Russia. This species of Alcea is more resistant to rust than most.
Alcea rugosa Flower (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
The etymological root of the binomial name Alcea is from the Greek and is the name given to this plant by Dioscorides. Rugosa is derived from the Latin meaning ‘full of wrinkles’.
The landscape architect may find Alcea rugosa useful as large upright free flowering perennial and looks good when planted en mass. This plant is tolerant of urban pollution.
Ecologically, Alcea rugosa flowers are attractive to nectar loving insects and birds.
Alcea rugosa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils during the winter months.
Alcea rugosa requires little maintenance. The removal of flower spikes will encourage this plant to behave as a perennial. If flower spikes are left this plant will readily self seed. Its flower spikes may be cut to ground level in winter to keep a tidy appearance.
Alcea rugosa Leaf (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)