A native of Asia Minor, the hollyhock had spread west to the Middle East by the 11th century. In the 17th century Pilgrims carried the hollyhock to North America. Since these early times the plant has been widely cultivated for its handsome flowers.
The earliest hollyhocks had single blossoms. They were probably rose-pink, shading into red and white. Today magnificent double hollyhocks have been cultivated, and colors range from yellow to purple and maroon. Hollyhocks love the sun but will grow in partial shade. They are herbaceous plants, mostly perennial, of the mallow family. About 60 species grow from the Eastern Mediterranean regions to central Asia.
The hollyhock belongs to the genus Alcea. The most widely known is A. rosea, which has been cultivated and naturalized in most parts of the world. The hollyhock’s flowers, about 3 inches (8 centimeters) across, grow on short peduncles from the stalk. There are five large, wedge-shaped petals and numerous stamens. The stalk is thick and hairy and grows as tall as 9 feet (2.7 meters). The leaves have five to seven lobes and are rough, rounded, and heart-shaped.