Alcea rosea Chater's Double Yellow seeds - Hollyhock

The 'Chater's Double Yellow' hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is ideal for adding height and light at the back of borders or against a wall. This biennial to perennial plant produces large double flowers in a vibrant buttery yellow, which brighten up the garden from June to August. Easy to grow, it self-seeds naturally and can reach a height of 2.5m. Perfect in a rustic setting, its flowering attracts bees and butterflies to the garden.

A member of the Malvaceae family, the botanical species Alcea rosea is native to Asia Minor and widely naturalised in gardens. The 'Chater's Double Yellow' variety was obtained by the English breeder Thomas Chater in the 19th century. With very rapid growth, it is distinguished by its upright habit and robust floral stem that can reach 2 to 2.5m in height. At the base, in the first year, the plant forms a rosette of round, wide, lobed light green leaves. It blooms in the second year. From June to August, its flower spike produces flowers that open successively. Each very double, soft yellow bloom measuring approximately 10cm in diameter, has a silky texture that captures the light. The flowering, which starts at the base of the stem and progresses towards the top, attracts numerous pollinators. After flowering, the plant produces dry fruits filled with seeds. It self-seeds spontaneously, especially in unexpected places like walls and rocky soils.

The 'Chater's Double Yellow' hollyhock is perfect for creating a bright backdrop in borders, as well as along hedges and walls. Its large yellow pompon flowers form a beautiful combination with those of tall ornamental thistles. It also pairs well with Agastache 'Blue Fortune' to create a play of complementary textures and colours, or with Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty' in shades of orange-red that bloom until late summer.

The hollyhock is both ornamental and medicinal. Its seeds yield an oil with drying properties. Rich in mucilage, it has soothing, emollient, expectorant, laxative, and appetising properties, milder than those of its herbalist cousin, Althea officinalis.