Alcea rosea 'Chater's Mixture' – Classic hollyhock with full, double-flowered splendor

Alcea rosea 'Chater's Mixture', better known as hollyhock, is a true classic in the cottage garden. This impressive biennial steals the show with its large, double flowers in a stunning mix of pink, yellow, red, white, and apricot.

With its stately height and abundant blooms, this hollyhock makes a beautiful vertical accent plant along walls, fences, and garden paths. 'Chater's Mixture' brings a touch of nostalgia and romance to any garden – just what a summer garden needs.

Classic beauty with a rich history

The hollyhock (Alcea rosea) has a long history as an ornamental plant. Since the Middle Ages, it has been prized for its robust growth, striking height, and abundant blooms. The 'Chater's Mixture' variety is named after the English nurseryman William Chater, who introduced this beautiful double-flowered variety in the 19th century.

Unlike single-flowered hollyhocks, the flowers of 'Chater's Mixture' form dense, rose-like clusters along the tall stems. The flowers open from bottom to top, ensuring a continuous bloom for weeks from June to September.

Splendor of color and height in the summer garden

The hollyhock is a striking plant: it can grow up to 150 to 200 cm tall, creating a majestic backdrop against walls or fences. The large, double flowers of 'Chater's Mixture' range in shade from soft pastel pink and creamy yellow to deep red and pure white, making each plant a surprise.

The flowers attract bees, bumblebees and butterflies, making this hollyhock not only a feast for the eyes but also a valuable plant for a natural, bee-friendly garden.

Location and care

The Alcea rosea 'Chater's Mixture' loves sun and warmth. Plant it in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. It thrives against a wall or fence, where it will also find shelter from strong winds.

Growing and care tips:

• Sowing: from May to July directly in the open ground or in pots.

• Planting out: as soon as the young plants are large enough (approx. 30 cm).

• Flowering period: June – September (the year after sowing).

• Height: 150 – 200 cm.

• Location: sunny, sheltered, well-drained soil.

• Distance: about 40–50 cm between plants.

The hollyhock is a biennial plant, meaning it primarily produces foliage in the first year and blooms profusely in the second. After flowering, leave a few seed pods on the plant so it can self-seed and return year after year.

To prevent rust (a common fungal disease in hollyhocks), it is advisable to space the plants well and remove leaves that touch the ground.

Application in the garden

'Chater's Mixture' is an ideal plant for cottage gardens, farmyards, and natural borders. Its height creates a beautiful backdrop to the border, while the flowers provide a playful color contrast among shorter perennials.

For example, combine the hollyhock with Digitalis (foxglove), Delphinium (larkspur), Echinacea (coneflower) or Campanula (bellflower) for a classic, romantic atmosphere.

The hollyhock also thrives in city or facade gardens: it even grows in narrow strips of ground between the sidewalk and the wall, where it easily grows into an impressive eye-catcher.

Summary

Conclusion

Alcea rosea 'Chater's Mixture' is a timeless favorite for any garden lover. Its impressive height, generous double blooms, and rich color mix make it a real eye-catcher in the summer garden.

With a little sun, shelter, and care, this hollyhock will reward you with a profusion of blooms full of romance, color, and bee life. Whether you have a country garden or a narrow city garden: the hollyhock 'Chater's Mixture' is guaranteed to bring atmosphere, height, and summer splendor.