Alcea ficifolia 'Happy Lights'
Antwerp Hollyhock 'Happy Lights'
Alcea is a group of plants in the Mallow family Malvaceae, native to Asia and Europe. Alcea ficifolia (previously called Althaea ficifolia) is commonly known as the Antwerp or Fig-Leaf Hollyhock and is a species which is specifically found naturally in Iran. It is normally grown best as a deciduous biennial, or a short lived perennial, and has distinctly lobed round fig leaf like leaves with open funnel-shaped flowers carried on tall spikes. Alcea ficifolia is also particularly noted for its good resistance to the fungal disease rust. Hollyhocks like a well drained soil but appreciate some organic matter when planting for best results. Through cultivation, many colour forms are now available. 'Happy Lights' is a commercial mix of Alcea ficifolia producing plants with various shades of single flowers.
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Full sun
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Occasional watering
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Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Free draining and fertile
Common name
Antwerp Hollyhock 'Happy Lights'
Latin name
Alcea ficifolia 'Happy Lights'
type
Biennial or short-lived perennial
family
Malvaceae
ph
5.0 - 8.5 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun
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Frost
Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Soil
Free draining and fertile
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Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
full grown dimensions
0.50 M
1.50 M
Alcea ficifolia 'Happy Lights'
Alcea is a group of plants in the Mallow family Malvaceae, native to Asia and Europe. Alcea ficifolia (previously called Althaea ficifolia) is commonly known as the Antwerp or Fig-Leaf Hollyhock and is a species which is specifically found naturally in Iran. It is normally grown best as a deciduous biennial, or a short lived perennial, and has distinctly lobed round fig leaf like leaves with open funnel-shaped flowers carried on tall spikes. Alcea ficifolia is also particularly noted for its good resistance to the fungal disease rust. Hollyhocks like a well drained soil but appreciate some organic matter when planting for best results. Through cultivation, many colour forms are now available. 'Happy Lights' is a commercial mix of Alcea ficifolia producing plants with various shades of single flowers.
Flowering Season
From Mid Summer TO Late Summer
Hollyhocks flower in Summer
Planting Outdoors
From Early Spring TO Mid Spring
Container grown plants are put into a sunny, reasonably fertile well drained position in spring
Propagation by seed
From Mid Spring TO Late Spring
Sow seed in spring into flowering position.
Propagation by seed
From Mid Spring TO Late Spring
Sow seed in spring into flowering position.
Propagation by seed
From Early Spring TO Mid Spring
Sow seed under glass in early spring, with gentle heat.