French Hollyhock Seeds -(Malva Sylvestris ) Perennial FLOWERS

Hollyhock (Malva Sylvestris Mauritiana) - Perennial
Hollyhock (Malva Sylvestris Mauritiana) - From the Mallow family, this French Hollyhock will bloom the first year from flower seed. This very showy perennial with 2 - 3 inch lavender to purple blooms will put on a profuse display of color. It reaches 36 inches tall and nearly as wide. It is often a short-lived perennial, but it liberally drops its own flower seeds to continue producing the wonderful flowers year after year. It makes such a statement in the garden that all of your visitors will ask what it is. Heat and drought are not a problem for this perennial.

Establishing Hollyhock from flower seeds is very rewarding. To get a jump start on the growing season, you can certainly sow Hollyhock seeds indoors or in the greenhouse 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost date. Use starter trays and quality starter mix and sow the Malva seeds on the surface, pressing them into the soil to make good contact. Keep them consistently moist.

Sowing the flower seeds directly outdoors is an option as well. Prepare soil bed, sow the seeds on the surface and dust over them very lightly with loose garden soil. Keep the French Hollyhock seeds moist until germination has occurred. Young Mallow plants can be transplanted or even moved to other positions in the garden. During the bloom season, water Hollyhock plants well and use a balanced fertilizer. After bloom season, cut back the stalks hard, down to just 3 - 4 inches above ground and continue to water and fertilize. Depending on your location and growing season, the Hollyhock plants may come back for a second bloom in late summer or early fall.
Flower Specifications
Season: Perennial
USDA Zones: 5 - 9
Height: 36 inches
Bloom Season: Summer
Bloom Color: Purple
Environment: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-drained, pH 5.8 - 7.2
Planting Directions
Temperature: 70 - 75F
Average Germ Time: 14 - 28 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: Do not cover the seed but press into the soil
Sowing Rate: 2 - 3 seeds per plant
Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 36 inches