Hollyhock

5. Hollyhock Alcea rosea

Easily grown from seed. Biennial

Native to Asia and Europe

Uses: traditionally the dry stems could be used as firewood. Roots have been used medicinally.

In the language of flowers Hollyhocks symbolised ambition and fecundity

Dye: the flowers of ‘black’ (dark purple) hollyhocks can give purple or maroon dyes