alcea

Al-see'a. Hollyhock . A genus of about 60 species of tall, leafy-stemmed biennial or perennial herbs, all from the temperate regions of the Old World.

Description
They have usually hairy alternate leaves and a terminal, spirelike cluster of showy flowers, the 5 petals usually notched, originally red or white, but variously colored in the horticultural forms. Below the calyx is a series of 6-9 bracts.

How to Grow
Several varieties will bloom reliably the first year from seeds started indoors. Many overwinter and give a second year (and sometimes succeeding years) of bloom. Where summers are long, direct seed in groups of 5 seeds, then thin to the 3 best seedlings. Prefers warm weather.

Alcea rosea
Garden Hollyhock . 5-9 ft. (1.5-2.7 m) high, the stem leafy, spirelike, and hairy. Flowers essentially stalkless, 3 in. (7.5 cm) wide, in stiff, terminal clusters, typically single, and red or white, but the horticultural forms of many colors and often double. China. There are many cultivars. 'Majorette', a dwarf form, comes in many colors. Also sold as Althaea rosea . Biennial grown as a hardy annual.