Black Hollyhock by nongo
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Description
This is a new plant to my garden, I've never grown one of these before, so not knowing I got two and planted them side by side... These plants have huge leaves and the flower stalk on this plant is about 7 feet tall, with flowers blooming up the stalk. I had to really climb up high to get into this flower for this macro image. I just love the colors, from a distance it looks very black, but when the sun shines through, it has a deep burgandy glow about it... please enjoy...
and if you can find this in your area, I highly recommend planting at least one, cause it's quite the spectacle to behold!!!!!!
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The "Nigra" variant of Alcea rosea is as nearly black as any flower gets. It is an heirloom variety which Thomnas Jefferson grew. The species is native to the Mediterranean region, & has been gardened throughout Europe since at least 1500. The black form was described in 1629 by John Parkinson as, "Of darke red like black blood."
It is an easily self-seeding biennial or shortlived perennial which will live two to five years. It grows swiftly to an enormous height. The main plant is only a foot & a half, but the gigantic flower spikes are "small" at five feet, & frequently eight or ten feet tall!
The individual maroon-black flowers all over these spikes are two or three inches across. It blooms from May or June; deadheading extends bloom to summer's end.The flowers make excellent bouquets & are liked by butterflies, bees, & hummingbirds.
Toward autumn the basal foliage begins to look spotted & poor, hence is usually regarded as a back-border plant not only because of its extreme height, but because it is not "specimen worthy" as a center of attention, though splendid for ongoing bloom in the background.
It's other fault is the flower-weighted spikes are apt to fall over in hard weather so will either need staking or preferrably to grow against a fence or barn wall. It should be cut to the ground early autumn when the final blooms go to seed.
Black Hollyhock requires a dryish light or poor soil in full sun area to do well, & where it will be low-maintenance. To get them started, seeds should be sewn in the summer. Rosettes of big hairy leaves will develop by autumn then die back before winter. It will bloom the following summer. And how it will bloom!
Comments (27)
My dear you are living in Paradise...lucky you! May I visit you (he, he...wish to have such possibility...) Perfect photo and fantastic capture!!!
Wowser! Up close and personal here! Clean work on this very deep colored Hollycock...your garden must just be awsome this time of year...Very kewl work here Akemi! Aloha~
wow thats some shot, just awesome macro of this pretty flower.
Spectacular & very intense...
OMG!! Am I Dreaming!!! This is so trippy postwork and it should be in my fav+!!! I am speechless but.. All i can tell.. Here is 5/5 from me. 2.5 for you and the rest for that beauty Have a nice day my friend, and i really enjoyed your story JOE
Oh my... this is the most fascinating and beautiful I feel as in space somewhere.
Now this is what i call an extreme macro! Amazing photo Akemi. It almost look alien!!! Beautiful addition made by the droplets. Just gorgeous! Have a wonderful day. #:O)
Wow...This is so very beautifully moist in red. Love the lighting in the center. An excellent shot. Aloha
wow, you must this ZOOM IN.....gorgeous plant.....so full of colours.....love it
First this is an excellent photo, a masterpiece, with these wonderful drops and glow! The plant is AMAZING, looks very exotic with gorgeous colors, really fantastic!!!
awsome macro !!
your garden is in the paradise???LOL... Excellent photo and I agree with Nattarious :DDD ood day and hugs !!!
Beautiful! Would love to see more of the plant. I've never seen a hollyhock this dark before. Lovely macro!
wow i believe you actually did crawl into the flower to get this image ! bravo!!!!
What a gorgeous flower! And it has a star inside! Beautiful photo. :)
Amazing macro and beautifil flower.
Great macro! Wonderful colors.
Gorgeous image, and excellent info
Wonderful macro of this blossom. I have several colors of growing by the corner of my house. They are so lovely.
Akemi, this is an amazing macro?!!!! It seems to just suck you into this beautiful flower!!!! I've seen hollyhocks but never this color... Thanks for sharing it!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW!
Excellent macro. Thanks for the information about this lovely plant. I have always loved Hollyhocks and since they come in so many colors they are one of my favorites. HUGS!!!
Wow that's one heck of a macro, looks alomost alien!! Excellent job! 8-)
I love these hollyhocks they are so spectacular. Unfortunately where I live at present is unsuitable to grow them - a wonderful cottage garden flower and super capture of it. I like the pov and close up view - amazing detail too - congrats :)
wow, fantastic!!
Still looking for the ferret,lol.This is wonderful,Akemi.It looks amazing as a macro...soooo wonderfully 'alien' and such a strange and beautiful universe in there.Bravo on your 'zen' eye...which I hope is all healed by now...-M ;^)
Woah Akemi, this IS a beauty! I'll have to look into getting one for my garden - after hurricane season. It does seem to glow from within and the waterdroplets add a dynamic touch. Crystaline detail makes this macro a winner! =]