While Hollyhocks originally traveled from China to Europe in the 15th century, the Chater’s Double strain is a triumph of 19th-century British horticulture.

It was developed by Mr. William Chater in Saffron Walden, Essex, England, during the 1840s. Chater spent decades perfecting the "doubleness" and the vast color range of these flowers. By the 1880s, they were the "must-have" plant in Victorian Boston and throughout Massachusetts, prized for their ability to hide unsightly outhouses and fences with high-society elegance. Growing Chater’s today is a direct link to the golden age of English gardening.

Chater’s Double is famous for its "pom-pom" flower structure, where the centers are so tightly packed with petals that they hide the stamens entirely.

• Stately Stature: These giants easily reach 6 to 8 feet tall, creating a living wall of color.
• Color Palette: Our mix includes a stunning array of satiny shades—from buttery yellow and pure white to deep maroon, soft rose, and vibrant apricot.
• Extended Bloom Time: The flowers begin opening at the bottom of the stalk and slowly work their way to the top, providing a floral display that can last for the better part of the summer.
• Textured Foliage: Large, heart-shaped, rough-textured leaves provide a lush, green base that anchors the tall floral spikes.

Hollyhocks are short-lived perennials (often grown as biennials). They spend their first year growing a sturdy root system and large leaves, and their second year producing the spectacular flower spikes.

• Sowing: Direct sow in late spring or early summer for blooms the following year. If you start them indoors very early (8-10 weeks before frost), you may get blooms in the first season.
• Sun & Soil: They crave Full Sun. They aren't picky about soil but require good drainage to prevent the roots from rotting over the winter.
• The "Wind Rule": Because they are so tall, plant them against a building, fence, or provide sturdy stakes to prevent summer thunderstorms from toppling your spires.
• Airflow is Key: To prevent "Hollyhock Rust" (small orange spots on leaves), water at the base of the plant and give them plenty of space to breathe.

• The Outhouse Flower: Historically, Hollyhocks were planted around outhouses so that "polite" ladies wouldn't have to ask where the bathroom was—they just looked for the tall flowers!
• Pollinator High-Rise: While the blooms are double, bees still love to burrow into the ruffles to find the nectar hidden deep within.
• Edible Interest: Like their cousins in the Mallow family, the flowers are edible and make a stunning, albeit mild-tasting, garnish for summer salads.
• Self-Seeding Legacy: If you leave the flower heads on at the end of the season, they will drop seeds that will grow into a "permanent" colony, ensuring you have Hollyhocks for decades to come.

• Back-of-Border: The perfect backdrop for shorter flowers like Queeny Lime Orange Zinnias.
• Cottage Gardens: An absolute essential for that "managed chaos" aesthetic.
• Cutting: While they are massive, the individual "powder-puff" blooms can be floated in glass bowls for a stunning centerpiece.

Add a touch of Victorian grandeur to your landscape. Order your Chater’s Double Hollyhock seeds from Firefly Farm & Mercantile today! 🛒🌸