Summer Carnival Mix Hollyhock

Summer Carnival Mix Hollyhock is a biennial, hardy old-fashioned cottage garden favorite. This mix includes attractive double blooms in shades of blush pink, rose pink, rose red, white, scarlet, and yellow, creating a lively and festive display that stays all summer long. The flowers grow on tall, sturdy spikes that can reach heights of 5 to 8 feet, making them excellent for back borders, fences, and cottage gardens. Ideal for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, these hardy biennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.  Besides their ornamental value, hollyhocks have historical significance, once used to soothe horse hooves during the Crusades, giving rise to the name "Holy Hocks". Summer Carnival Mix Hollyhocks can attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden, enhancing the beauty and biodiversity of your outdoor space.

Also Known As: Carnival Mix Hollyhocks, Rainbow Mix Alcea, Mixed Double Blooms Hollyhocks, Mixed Rose Mallow.

Plant Name:	Hollyhock, Summer Carnival Mix
Latin Name:	Alcea rosea
Days to Germinate:	10-21
Days to Bloom:	720
Plant Height:	4 - 8 Feet
Spread:	12 - 18 Inches
Bloom Diameter:	3 - 5 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	2-10
Lifespan:	Biennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 6 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Hollyhocks are best planted in early spring or late fall to naturally cold-stratify seeds.

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may optionally cold-stratify seeds for at least 30 days then start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant after the first hard frost in early Spring to cold-stratify seeds. Plants will germinate in late Spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. Fall planting is not recommended unless planting outdoors in environments with mild, frost-free winters, or planting indoors with supplemental grow lights. For blooms in late Spring of the following year, sow outdoors after the first hard frost in Fall to cold-stratify seeds.

To plant, make holes 1/2 inch deep and spaced 12-18 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, flower seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can separated and spaced 12-18 inches apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/2 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Hollyhocks are low-maintenance perennials that enjoy consistent watering, particularly during dry spells. Once established, they are somewhat drought-tolerant. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again mid-season can promote healthy growth and prolific blooming. To encourage a long flowering period, remove spent blooms (deadheading) regularly, as this helps redirect energy into new flower production. Staking may be necessary to prevent the stems from toppling over, especially in windy or rainy conditions. Prune away any yellow or damaged leaves owers. At the end of the season, cut the plants back to the ground to help them overwinter, particularly in colder climates, where they may benefit from a light mulch to protect their roots.