Ebony Hollyhock Seeds — Alcea rosea

Dark Drama for the Cottage Garden

If you want to stop visitors in their tracks, plant the Ebony Hollyhock. This striking form of Alcea rosea produces tall, stately spires of the deepest, darkest blooms — a rich, velvety near-black that creates a breathtaking contrast against lighter flowers and foliage. Moody, dramatic, and utterly unforgettable, it's the jewel of any cottage garden border.

Why Gardeners Love It

• ⬛ Dramatic near-black blooms — deep, velvety dark flowers with a rich, jewel-like quality
• 📏 Grows 150–250 cm tall — a bold statement at the back of borders or against walls and fences
• 🌸 Stunning contrast plant — pairs beautifully with pale pinks, whites, and silvers
• 🐝 Loved by pollinators — bees are drawn to these pollen-rich blooms
• ✂️ Striking cut flower — dramatic and long-lasting in large arrangements
• 🌱 Easy to grow — self-seeds freely once established for years of dark drama

Growing Tips for New Zealand

Sow seeds in spring or early summer into well-drained soil or seed-raising mix. Hollyhocks prefer a sunny, sheltered position — against a warm wall or fence is ideal. Transplant seedlings to their final position in autumn, spacing 45–60 cm apart. They will establish over winter and flower the following summer. Allow a few plants to self-seed for a naturalistic cottage garden effect.

What's in the Packet

Each packet contains 5 seeds of Alcea rosea 'Ebony'.