Black hollyhock Nigra ORGANIC - Alcea rosea

Flowers the color of bitter chocolate, almost black. Black hollyhock 'Nigra' is a classic variety of common hollyhock with large, single flowers in a purplish chocolate shade, almost black. Its stiff, upright flower stems usually reach around 2 m, and even more in favorable conditions. It blooms from June to September, bringing a vertical accent and a cottage-garden feel to the garden. Although botanically a perennial, it is usually grown as a biennial.

At a glance

• Growth habit: biennial or short-lived perennial, 2–3 m
• Flowers: large, single, purplish chocolate, almost black
• Sowing under cover: March–April
• Direct sowing: May–July, flowering the following year
• Transplanting: after May 15–20
• Flowering: June–September
• Position: full sun, fertile, well-drained soil
• Difficulty: moderate
• Seeds per packet: approx. 50

What makes this variety stand out

This variety has long attracted fans of cottage and naturalistic gardens. The dark flowers contrast strongly with the medium-green leaves and the light-colored flowers of other plants. The buds open gradually from the bottom of the stem, extending the flowering period.

Black hollyhock is fully frost-hardy and overwinters well in Polish conditions. It readily self-seeds, so once planted, it usually renews itself in the garden for years to come. The flowers are rich in nectar and often visited by bumblebees and bees. The plant belongs to the mallow family.

Step-by-step growing guide

Sowing (March–April, under cover): Sow the seeds individually in pots, covering them lightly to a depth equal to the size of each seed. They need 18–25°C to germinate; seedlings emerge after 14–21 days.

Direct sowing (May–July): You can also sow the seeds directly in their permanent position. Plants from summer sowings form a rosette of leaves in the first year and flower the following season.

Transplanting (after May 15–20): Plant out the seedlings after the last frost, spacing them about 30 × 30 cm apart in a sunny spot sheltered from strong winds. Fertile, deep, well-drained soil is best. Hollyhocks develop a deep taproot, so older plants do not tolerate transplanting well.

Care: Water moderately, mainly during dry spells, taking care not to wet the leaves. In windy locations, it is worth tying tall stems to a stake. Hollyhocks are susceptible to rust; remove affected leaves, ensure good air circulation, and avoid planting them too close together. After flowering, you can leave a few seed heads so the plants can self-seed.

Uses

Black hollyhock is ideal along walls and fences, at the back of flower beds, in cottage gardens, and beside narrow paths, where it emphasizes the vertical lines of a planting scheme. The flowers and buds are edible and can be used as a decoration for salads and desserts. Hollyhock is also a traditional dyer's plant, and its dark flowers are sometimes used for dyeing.

Gardener's tip

About the producer

The seeds come from Semailles, a small-scale Belgian producer of organic seeds from the province of Namur in Wallonia. Semailles offers only non-hybrid varieties (no F1), including many traditional and collector's varieties. Some seeds are propagated in its own fields, and others in cooperation with organic growers in Belgium and France. All batches are certified organic (inspection code BE-BIO-01).

Specifications