Hollyhock Nigra
Couldn't load pickup availability
Description
Hollyhock 'Nigra' Seeds
'Nigra', also known by its heritage name 'The Watchman', is a spectacular variety producing towering spikes of large, single, silky flowers in a shade of maroon so deep it looks like glossy black chocolate.
Most hollyhocks are pastel and fluffy; 'Nigra' is sleek and architectural. The dark central eye and pale creamy style (the pollen part) create a stunning contrast that draws pollinators in from miles away. Whether growing against a white cottage wall or in a modern, moody planting scheme, it creates a vertical black exclamation mark that demands attention.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Hollyhock 'Nigra' is a classic Hardy Biennial.
It follows the traditional two-year cycle.
Year 1: You sow the seeds in summer. The plant grows a large rosette of rough, heart-shaped leaves.
Year 2: It sends up a majestic 2-metre flower spike, blooms all summer, sets seed, and then dies (though it often self-seeds to replace itself!).
Top Tip: Hollyhocks hate "Rust" (a fungal disease that causes orange spots). To prevent it, give 'Nigra' plenty of space for air to circulate and water only at the base, never on the leaves.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Hollyhocks have deep taproots, so handle them with care.
Germination:
Sow indoors in April-May or outdoors in June-July. Sow seeds 1cm deep. If sowing indoors, use deep pots (like root trainers) to accommodate the long root. Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. A spot against a wall or fence is ideal as it provides shelter from the wind and radiates heat, which helps ripen the seeds.
Care While Growing:
Planting Out: Move young plants to their final position in September/October so they can establish roots before winter.
Support: 'Nigra' can reach 2 metres (6ft+). Unless you have a very sheltered walled garden, you will need to stake the main stem to stop it snapping in summer storms.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Alcea rosea |
| Common Name | Hollyhock 'Nigra' / The Watchman |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy Biennial) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 1.8m - 2.4m (Very Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 60cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 60cm apart |
| Great for | ⚫ Dark/Gothic Themes 🐝 Bees (Single Flower) 🏰 Back of Border 🏠 Wall-Side Planting |
| Seed Count | Approx. 50 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The black flowers need light, bright partners so they don't disappear into the shadows:
- ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The Monochrome Look. The pure white, airy flowers of Cosmos Purity provide a stark, sophisticated contrast to the heavy, black columns of the Hollyhock.
- 🍋 Larkspur 'Limelight Mix': The Zesty Lift. The greenish-white spikes of the Larkspur act as a highlight, making the dark maroon of the Hollyhock look richer and warmer by comparison.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in summer. Plant out in autumn. Flowers the following summer.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers (Yr 2) | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Skin Irritation
The stems and leaves of Hollyhocks are covered in rough, bristly hairs that can be irritating to sensitive skin. We recommend wearing gloves when staking or cutting down the plants.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
'Nigra' is a magnet for bees. Unlike double varieties, its single, open shape allows bumblebees easy access to the plentiful pollen and nectar inside.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
Be a smarter gardener
Gardening organically is a more affordable and long term alternative to using chemical fertilisers. Natural Grower products eliminate waste because the nutrients are slowly released to the plants as they need them. Over the long-term you save money because your soil health naturally improves, which in turn produces healthier, stronger, disease resistant plants. Chemical products may cost less financially in the short term, but they don’t provide any long-term benefits and the damage they do to the natural eco-system in the soil is costly.
Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
Love your land
The organic matter in Natural Grower will help keep your soil or compost in optimum condition, retain moisture over the dry summer months and improve the health and structure of your soil. The presence of natural Mycorrhizal fungi in our products enhances root growth, enabling plants to extract nutrients and absorb water more efficiently from the soil or compost. By using our products you will be supporting and enhancing the natural eco-system in the soil.
Embrace sustainability
Natural Grower’s chemical free fertiliser products are approved organic, biodynamic and vegan. Plant-based and free from chemicals they are safe to use around wildlife, pets and children. Eco-friendly and sustainably produced in the UK. Our packaging is made from recycled plastic where possible and is all 100% recyclable. We are always happy to refill used containers, and often sell our products in reused containers or slightly damaged packaging at a reduced price. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
