Alcea rosea, 'Crème de Cassis'

Germination

Sow indoors in spring or directly. Surface sow individual seeds 20mm apart onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seed with a sprinkling of soil. Ideal temp. 15-21°C. Germination takes 10-14 days. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle, 3-4 weeks later, into individual pots. Handle leaves only, the stem is fragile. Grow on in bright cool conditions. Acclimatise and plant out in May/ June. Can be sown into a cold frame in mid summer and planted out the following spring.

Growing

Prefers a well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun, against a sunny wall is ideal. May require staking in exposed sites. This genus can be prone to rust fungus, treat with fungicide if desired.

Cultivation

Propagate by seed. Cut back after flowering. Will self-seed. self-seeded plants will try to creep towards the sunny front of a border. Dig these up and pot, once established replant towards the back of the border.