Hollyhocks are a traditional feature of cottage garden borders and 'Halo Mixed' adds height and colour, with tall stems, almost 2 metres (6ft 6) high, full of bi-coloured flowers, with shades of pink, purple, white, red and yellow. Once planted, they will flower the following year and every year thereafter. Alcea rosea do well in sunny positions and are longer flowering than other Hollyhock cultivars, and will will bloom from June to July. They are great pollinators and will attract bees and butterflies to your garden, making it wildlife friendly.
A favourite in the cottage garden, this tall and slender plant is a magnificent sight in late summer when each stem is clothed in ruffled bright pink pompom blooms. Hollyhock rosea 'Pleniflora' looks spectacular grown in large groups. It also grows well at the back of the border where it provides a dramatic backdrop to other, smaller flowering plants. Althaea rosea grows best in a sunny site. Height: 180cm (71). Spread: 60cm (24).
Holly has just about every quality you need to make an effective secure boundary. The evergreen leaves will form a permanent dense screen for privacy, the spiky edges to them will also make a good deterrent. Berries in the winter add a touch of colour and give all year interest, and the birds will appreciate a tasty source of food too! Easy to grow and maintain, either formally, or left to grow to give a more natural look.
Towering stems are clothed from bottom to top in vibrant, bicoloured flowers. From a competition launched in Garden News, this stunning new variety was named by reader Mary Trusler, and chosen from over 5000 entries.
Tall strong stems bearing chocolate maroon flowers, becoming almost 'blacktowards the centre. This is a unique variety creating an impressive impact against most backgrounds. Flowers mid to late summer. Height 5ft.
Contrary to its name, Golden King is an outstanding female Holly. A fantastic specimen for year round interest, this handsome shrub bears white flowers in spring and spherical red berries in winter, which are loved by birds.
A rich cottage garden mixture of colourful pastel shades. The Antwerp blend has attractive and unusual palmate foliage, and is also shown to have the best levels of resistance to the common Hollyhock problem of rust. Excellent for borders, especially planted in groups. Height: 150-180cm (5-6ft).
This magnificent strain, with fully double flowers of rich apricot on tall imposing spikes of blooms, gives an air of stately splendour. One of the finest background plants for the border and is equally effective when grown in small groups. Usually flowers in its second year. Flowers mid to late summer. Height 15-2m (5-6ft).
Magnificent spires of bloom in a riot of carnival colours! This cottage garden favourite is perfect for adding height and stately grandeur to the back of summer borders. This popular hardy perennial is also highly attractive to bees and butterflies.
Scrumptious veined flowers in juicy blackcurrant, fade to paler berry shades around the edges of each double, semi-double and single bloom, that can miraculously be found on each stem. Height: 150-180cm (5-6ft).