Product description
A celebrated heirloom oddity dating back centuries, this majestic plant produces deeply cupped, chocolate-maroon flowers that offer a striking, near-black visual presence. The dark, satiny texture of the petals catches the light beautifully, bringing a touch of historical charm, elegance, and moody sophistication to both formal and informal planting schemes. Its towering presence and unique colouration make it an absolute showstopper when positioned against pale masonry or white wooden fences.
To ensure this heirloom variety persists in your garden for generations, you must actively manage its propagation; once the blooming cycle completely finishes, leave a handful of the swollen, wheel-shaped seed pods on the stalk until they turn brown and brittle. Harvest these flat, disc-like seeds and scatter them into loose soil immediately to guarantee a fresh crop of baby plants for the following seasons. Ensure the planting site receives absolute, unobstructed full sun, as any shade will cause the massive stalk to lean aggressively as it stretches toward the light.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Hollyhock
Alcea 'Nigra'
Alcea 'Nigra'
Product description
A celebrated heirloom oddity dating back centuries, this majestic plant produces deeply cupped, chocolate-maroon flowers that offer a striking, near-black visual presence. The dark, satiny texture of the petals catches the light beautifully, bringing a touch of historical charm, elegance, and moody sophistication to both formal and informal planting schemes. Its towering presence and unique colouration make it an absolute showstopper when positioned against pale masonry or white wooden fences.
To ensure this heirloom variety persists in your garden for generations, you must actively manage its propagation; once the blooming cycle completely finishes, leave a handful of the swollen, wheel-shaped seed pods on the stalk until they turn brown and brittle. Harvest these flat, disc-like seeds and scatter them into loose soil immediately to guarantee a fresh crop of baby plants for the following seasons. Ensure the planting site receives absolute, unobstructed full sun, as any shade will cause the massive stalk to lean aggressively as it stretches toward the light.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Give your plants the best start
Garden Plant Size Guide
Plants in larger pots can be multiple years older than their smaller counterparts with more mature root systems and foliage. This makes them able to thrive as a full size plant in your garden quicker than smaller alternatives.
The most common size of pot that garden plants come in are 9cm/1L/3L/5L this is in reference to the diameter at the top of the pot.
9cm potted plants still remain the most popular cost effective option though, they just may take a little patience to allow them to grow into full maturity once planted in your garden.
Plant specs, care guide & tips
Key features
Specifications
When to plant
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planting and period of interest times are general guidelines and may vary based on your location and conditions. For best results, consult local gardening resources.
Instructions
Top Tip
Harvest the seeds from the dried pods once the flowering cycle concludes entirely. Store these seeds in a cool, dry envelope to propagate new chocolate-maroon plants later. This ensures you always have a fresh supply of this Alcea Nigra on hand.
How to Water
Target the soil directly above the root mass when applying moisture. A watering wand is an excellent tool to reach beneath the large leaves without wetting them. Ensure the ground dries out slightly between your watering sessions to promote healthier root development for the Alcea Nigra.
How to Plant
Choose a location that offers maximum direct sunlight to fuel the Alcea Nigra's rapid vertical growth. Dig the hole carefully to avoid disturbing the fragile soil structure too much. Spread the roots out gently before covering them with a mix of topsoil and organic matter.
