Alcea rosea 'Polarstar'
  Series Name: Spotlight Series
Common Name: Hollyhock
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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Single, white flowers with a yellow eye are produced on tall, sturdy stalks in midsummer.

For the past 18 years, Jelitto has been striving to develop a new consistent strain of stable, straight color, single flowered Hollyhocks and now they are finally ready to release their masterpiece!  The Alcea rosea Spotlight Series is being introduced by Jelitto in 2010 with four single color strains including deep black-purple, red, yellow, and white.  More colors are sure to follow. 

Other than their fabulous blossoms, one of the best traits about this series is that the plants are truly perennial—not biennial—and they bloom the first year from seed.

Feel free to grow hollyhocks under Black Walnut trees; they are tolerant of the toxic juglone that is emitted through the trees' roots.

Intro Year: 2010

Breeder: Jelitto

Introducer: Jelitto

Origin: Not Native to North America

Characteristics:



Height:
  5-6 Feet
Spread:
  2 Feet
Flower Color:
  White Shades
Foliage Color:
  Green shades
Hardiness Zone:
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Find Your Zone
Sun or Shade?:
  Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
  Average water needs
Want to see wings?:
  Attracts butterflies
  Attracts hummingbirds
How fast should it grow?:
  Rapid
When should it bloom?:
  Midsummer
How's your soil?:
  Average Soil
  Fertile Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
  Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
  Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
  Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
  Cottage
  Eclectic

  Click here to view the Grower Cultural Sheet

Size(s) Offered:

  Plugs: 30ct
  Plugs: 72ct

Attributes:

Border plants
Cut flower or foliage
Dried flower or seed heads
Mass Planting
Specimen or focal point

Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips:

Hollyhocks provide excellent architectural height in the garden and make good backdrops for lower growing perennials. Try growing them in the cottage garden style by planting them up against a wall or picket fence. Though their stalks are very strong, they may need to be staked if they are planted in a windy site.

Hollyhocks prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate short periods of drought. They need full sun to really perform in the landscape. Watch for Japanese Beetles; this plant is one of their favorites!


Companions:

Common/Botanical Name
Zones  
Gypsophila paniculata 'Bristol Fairy'
Common Name: Baby's Breath
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
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Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus'
Common Name: Red Valerian
4,5,6,7,8
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Hibiscus 'Party Favor' PP22250
Common Name: Rose Mallow
4,5,6,7,8,9
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Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Desert Plains' PP20751
Common Name: Grass-Ornamental
5,6,7,8,9
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Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'
Common Name: Coreopsis-Threadleaf
4,5,6,7,8,9
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Phlox paniculata 'Bright Eyes'
Common Name: Phlox-Tall Garden
4,5,6,7,8
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While every effort has been made to describe this plant accurately, please keep in mind that the height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates throughout the country. The description of this plant was written based on our experience growing it in Michigan (USDA hardiness zone 5) and on numerous outside resources.