Alcea ficifolia Happy Lights (Antwerp Hollyhock) seeds

Lovely, rust resistant Hollyhock species with tall, sturdy stems packed with single flowers in a cheerful mix of yellow, copper, pink, red and white.  Bred to be stronger and healthier than standard Hollyhocks, Happy Lights makes a colourful, long lasting display at the back of the border.  Loved by bees and fabulous for cut flowers.  Will flower the first year from an early sowing.

Hardy Perennial
Flowers: May to October
Height: 180cm, Spread: 75cm
Position: Sun or semi shade in well drained soil

Packet of 30 seeds

GROWING GUIDE

Sowing Instructions: Sow at any time of year except early to mid summer (too much heat while the seedlings are growing can result in spindly plants). Sowing in late summer produces larger plants and is recommended if your soil is heavy or badly drained.

Sow onto the surface of a moist, free-draining seed compost in pots or trays and cover with a very fine sprinkling of sieved compost or vermiculite. Seal in a polythene bag or place in a propagator and maintain at 15-20C. Germination usually takes 14 to 21 days.

Growing Instructions: When seedlings are large enough to handle, pot up individually into 8cm pots and grow on in cooler conditions, preferably 10-15C. Maintain plants in pots and over winter in a well-ventilated, cool frost-free place as necessary. Gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions before planting out in the garden in a sunny position.