15 Hollyhock Varieties We Love in the Summer Garden

Hollyhocks are classic cottage garden perennials and biennials. They’re best known for their tall, upright spikes covered in large, colorful flowers. These beauties are native to Asia and Europe, and in cultivation for hundreds of years, there is a bounty of stunning varieties. I love their old-fashioned charm and ability to add dramatic vertical interest. 

Their blooms range from single to fully double forms, which resemble peonies. They come in a wide array of colors, including pink, red, white, yellow, purple, and nearly black. They bloom in mid-to-late summer. Hollyhocks are especially effective when planted along fences, walls, or at the back of borders.

Hollyhocks are towering plants that are not only visually appealing, but they’re also beneficial to pollinators. The single-petaled varieties’ open, trumpet-shaped flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Hollyhocks are valuable additions to wildlife-friendly gardens.  Although many hollyhocks are biennial, they readily self-seed, often reappearing year after year without intervention.

Hollyhocks have nostalgic beauty, bold presence, and the ability to bring a vintage, romantic feel to the garden. Here are some stunning and dramatic hollyhock varieties. They look incredible in the pollinator patch, cottage garden, and everywhere else!

The Watchman Hollyhock

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The Watchman Hollyhock Seeds

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Chater’s Double Hollyhock

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Chater’s Double Hollyhock Seeds

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Indian Spring Hollyhock

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‘Chater’s Double Salmon Pink’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Chater’s Double Salmon Pink’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6’-8’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Lush, double, salmon pink blooms are what ‘Chater’s Double Salmon Pink’ brings to the garden. This gorgeous heirloom hollyhock variety is charming and timeless, resembling peonies. They are perfect for the back of the border, and ideal for cottage gardens. 

For cut flowers, you’ll rarely find a cultivar more romantic than this one. The large pom-pom blooms are unreal. They are warm, elegant, and undeniably beautiful!

‘Henry VIII Red’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Henry VIII Red’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6’-8’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Henry VIII Red’ brings all the drama of a historical television series. The Tudor king himself wouldn’t be able to resist this beautiful hollyhock variety. This cultivar is exceptionally tall, towering over the garden from up to eight feet. 

The large, single blooms are a rich jewel-toned crimson with a burgundy throat and visible, pale yellow style. These are large blooms measuring four to six inches across. Give these some support by planting against a fence or other structure.

‘Peaches N’ Dreams’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Peaches N’ Dreams’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6’-8’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Peaches N’ Dreams’ is one of the frilliest, most romantic hollyhock varieties I’ve seen. Large, fully double, peony-like blooms are a romantic combination of peach, pink, and apricot. If you’re a cottage gardener, this is the perfect addition to the back border. 

Tall stems produce an abundance of these beautiful flowers in late summer. The center of the flower is not visible, due to the mass of petals that obscures it. The double-petaled varieties are less desirable for pollinator gardens. But they make incredible additions to the cutting garden.

‘Nigra’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Nigra’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5’-8’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Perfect for the pollinator patch and even better for the goth garden, ‘Nigra’ is breathtaking. One of the darkest hollyhock varieties, the single blooms produce tons of readily available pollen and nectar. 

‘Nigra’ has nearly black flowers with a glossy sheen. They have a pale yellow throat and style that sprinkles pollen on the dark petals. The contrast of dark blooms with light green foliage is striking. 

‘Radiant Rose’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Radiant Rose’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5’-6’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Radiant Rose’ hollyhock is a showy, tall-growing variety known for its vibrant, deep rose-pink flowers. The center is a pale and luminous starburst. At the edges of the throat is a deep red border. The blooms are typically single and appear in vertical rows along tall, sturdy stalks that can reach heights of five to six feet.  

Like other hollyhocks, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its open form attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout its summer bloom period. Its classic charm and bold color make it a standout in the cottage garden. 

‘Queeny Purple’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Queeny Purple’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-3’+
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Queeny Purple’ is a compact, award-winning hollyhock variety loved for its rich, royal purple blooms. It has a shorter stature compared to traditional hollyhocks. Reaching only about 3 feet tall, it’s perfect for smaller gardens, front-of-border plantings, or container arrangements. 

The fully double flowers resemble powder-puffs. They bloom heavily in mid to late summer. Unlike taller varieties, ‘Queeny Purple’ often requires no staking and is less prone to wind damage. It earned an All-America Selections award in 2004.

‘Spring Celebrities White’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Spring Celebrities White’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 6-9

‘Spring Celebrities White’ is a charming, compact hollyhock variety favored for its pristine, fully double white blooms. They climb sturdy, well-branched stems reaching about two to three feet tall. 

Unlike taller traditional hollyhocks, this dwarf form flowers in its first year. Its compact, bushy habit makes it perfect for borders, containers, or smaller garden spaces. The blooms are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and make stunning cut flowers. 

‘Fiesta Time’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Fiesta Time’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Fiesta Time’ is a flamboyant, compact hollyhock variety that reaches around three feet in height. It’s perfect for smaller gardens, containers, or the middle of the border. The lush, fully double, fringe-edged blooms are bold cherry‑pink and soft rose with white edges. They have a stunning color gradient effect. 

Atop sturdy stems, these flowers bloom in midsummer. ‘Fiesta Time’ thrives in full sun with average moisture and well-drained soil. Its shorter stature means staking is unnecessary. This is a fantastic cultivar with tons of personality. 

‘Halo Cerise’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Halo Cerise’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5’-6’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Halo Cerise’ is a striking, tall hollyhock variety loved for its vivid, single flowers. The blooms are a bright, saturated pink hue with a contrasting deep maroon throat. The contrast creates a glowing halo effect, which is where the name comes from. 

Part of the award-winning Halo series, this cultivar grows to a height of 5 to 6 feet. It creates a bold and elegant presence at the back of borders or along fences. The open blooms are pollinator favorites. Hummingbirds love their funnel shape and bright color. It creates wonderful, linear interest anywhere you grow it. 

‘Mars Magic’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Mars Magic’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5’-6’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Mars Magic’ is a bold, eye-catching variety from the Spotlight Series. Celebrated for its vivid, deep red single blooms, it exudes warmth in the garden. The scarlet flowers have a small, but noteworthy, gleaming white star in the throat. Standing 5 to 6 feet tall, it produces upright spikes lined with large, saucer-shaped flowers. They bloom from mid to late summer. 

Unlike older hollyhock varieties, this one has improved rust resistance and strong branching. It’s an ideal choice for both ornamental use and pollinator gardens. It has open flowers that are especially attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. 

‘Blacknight’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Blacknight’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5’-6’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Blacknight’ hollyhock is a dramatic and elegant variety. It’s known for its deep, velvety maroon to nearly black single blooms. Not quite as dark as ‘Nigra’, this cultivar has ox-blood overtones. They are bold and create a striking contrast in sunny garden beds. 

Part of the Spotlight Series, ‘Blacknight’ is a tall plant, reaching five to six feet.  Its single flowers are pollinator-friendly. Bred for improved disease resistance and vigor, this variety performs well in full sun and well-drained soil. The Spotlight Series has a reputation for being true perennials, unlike many, which are biennials. 

‘Creme de Cassis’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Creme de Cassis’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6’-8’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Crème de Cassis’ is a beautiful and unique hollyhock variety prized for its richly contrasting, double blooms. Each flower has creamy white to pale lavender outer petals. A deep blackberry center gives it a hand-painted appearance. A pop of yellow lies deep down below the burst of purple.

Growing six to eight feet tall, this hollyhock adds romantic vertical interest to cottage gardens. Its height makes it perfect for the back of the border, where it can overlook the garden. Its tall, upright habit makes it ideal for garden structure and cut flower use. 

‘Apple Blossom’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Apple Blossom’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4’-6’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Apple Blossom’ is a graceful, old-fashioned hollyhock variety celebrated for its soft, blush-pink double blooms. The romantic flowers resemble peonies and open along tall, upright stalks. They can reach four to six feet, making this hollyhock a classic choice for cottage gardens, back borders, or sunny fences. 

Blooming in mid to late summer, its delicate, pastel tones pair beautifully with its neighbors. The fully double flowers are showy and long-lasting. They attract pollinators while adding vertical elegance to the landscape. This is a Summer Carnival hollyhock, bred for extra height and vibrant color. 

‘Majorette Double Champagne’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Majorette Double Champagne’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Majorette Double Champagne’ is a compact, charming hollyhock variety known for its soft, romantic blooms. The flowers are a chiffon confection in shades of pale peach and creamy blush with hints of pink. Part of the Majorette series, this hollyhock grows to a compact height of three to four feet.

Its size makes it ideal for containers, small-space gardens, and the front of the border. The fully double, frilly flowers bloom in early to mid-summer and make fantastic cut flowers. Unlike taller hollyhocks, ‘Majorette Double Champagne’ is another cultivar that often blooms in its first year. It usually doesn’t require staking. 

‘Sunshine’

	botanical name Alcea rosea ‘Sunshine’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5’-6’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Sunshine’ is a radiant hollyhock variety loved for its cheerful, bright yellow blooms.  They bring a burst of warmth and light to summer gardens. The single, saucer-shaped flowers are pale, creamy lemon with slightly darker streaks in the throat. This hollyhock grows tall, reaching five to six feet. It’s an ideal choice for the back of the border, fences, or a cottage garden.