Hollyhock 'Nigra' Seeds

Hollyhocks like 'Nigra' are biennials, flowering in their second year. It is a biennial: leaf in the first year, flowers in the second. Harvest: Cut flowers in summer when blooms open. Flowering runs May to August.

Sow seeds in spring or autumn, either indoors or directly outside, in a sunny, sheltered spot. Sow the seeds singly in damp, well-drained soil and cover lightly with soil. To encourage germination, place the sown seeds in a sealed clear container in a sunny spot during the recommended sowing months.

Seedlings usually appear in 7–14 days. Sow from February to June, and September to October.

Hollyhocks come in many colours including pink, white, yellow and the deep maroon of 'Nigra'.

Yes — this is a straightforward packet to give, and what makes it work as a gift is mostly timing. Sowing runs February to June, and September to October, so a packet given inside that window can go straight in, and one given outside it keeps perfectly well until the season comes round.

There are approximately 30 seeds in the packet. On effort it looks after itself, which matters if you are giving it to someone new to growing. It suits beds, borders and cut flower gardens, so it works for a small space as well as a garden.