Summer Carnival Hollyhocks are a beautiful old-fashioned garden favorite prized for their tall flower spikes and cheerful mix of colorful blooms. A member of the Malvaceae family, hollyhocks have long been associated with cottage gardens, farmhouse landscapes, and traditional flower borders. Summer Carnival produces stately plants covered in showy flowers, creating a classic garden display that brings height, color, and old-fashioned charm to the landscape.
The large, open flowers appear in a lovely range of colors, creating a lively display throughout the summer. The tall flower stalks are especially attractive planted along fences, walls, garden borders, and the back of perennial beds. Hollyhock blooms are also useful as cut flowers, while their colorful blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
Summer Carnival Hollyhocks grow best in fertile, well-drained soil and prefer a location receiving full sun. Because the plants can become quite tall, they benefit from protection from strong winds and may require staking for additional support. Sow seeds in spring or late summer, keeping the soil evenly moist during germination and early growth. Once established, hollyhocks are relatively easy to maintain and can provide years of beauty when allowed to reseed naturally.
Tall, colorful, and wonderfully nostalgic, Summer Carnival Hollyhocks are an excellent choice for gardeners seeking traditional cottage-garden beauty, long-lasting summer color, and flowers that bring pollinators and old-fashioned charm into the landscape.
Summer Carnival Hollyhocks Seed Details
- Quantity: 50 Seeds
- Plant Type: Heirloom Biennial Flower
- Family: Malvaceae
- Flower Appearance: Large, Showy Flowers on Tall Spikes
- Flower Colors: Mixed Summer Colors
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Best Uses: Cottage Gardens, Flower Borders, Fences, Walls, Cut Flowers, Pollinator Gardens
- Seed Planting Depth: 1/4 Inch
- Germination Temperature: 60-70°F
- Days to Germination: 10-14 Days
- Row Spacing: 18-24 Inches
- Plant Spacing: 18-24 Inches
- Mature Height: 5-8 Feet
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun
- Special Features: Tall Flower Spikes, Mixed Colors, Pollinator Friendly, Cottage Garden Favorite, Excellent Cut Flower
How to Save Seeds
Hollyhocks are primarily pollinated by insects and may cross with other hollyhock varieties grown nearby. To maintain a particular variety or flower color, grow different varieties separately whenever possible and select seed from plants displaying the characteristics you wish to preserve.
Allow selected flowers to remain on the plant after blooming. As the flowers fade, round seed pods will develop along the flower stalks. Leave the pods on the plant until they have matured and become dry.
Harvest the mature seed pods when they are dry and beginning to turn brown. Remove the pods from the stalk and allow them to finish drying in a protected, well-ventilated location before opening them.
Remove the seeds from the dried pods and allow them to dry completely before storage. Store the seeds in a cool, dry location away from moisture and direct sunlight for future planting.
