Fig Hollyhock, Old-Fashioned Heirloom Favorite, Mixed Colors

Hollyhocks have been the iconic vertical accent of European and American gardens for centuries, but they are often plagued by hollyhock rust (a fungal disease that causes orange-brown spots on the leaves). The Figleaf Hollyhock is the gardener's solution.

• The "Rust-Free" Heirloom: One of the primary reasons this variety is so highly sought after by expert gardeners is its natural resistance to hollyhock rust. While common hollyhocks often succumb to unsightly fungal spotting by mid-summer, the Figleaf variety stays lush, green, and vibrant from the ground all the way to the top of the spike.
• The "Figleaf" Distinction: While many hollyhocks have large, rounded, heart-shaped leaves, the Alcea ficifolia is distinguished by its deeply cut, palmate foliage. This adds an extra layer of structural interest to the garden, providing a healthy green canvas that remains attractive all season long.
• A Gardener’s Landmark: Traditionally planted against sunny cottage walls or fences, these plants were used to mark the transition between the garden and the home. They are a "statement" plant, demanding attention with their soaring, flower-laden spikes.

Figleaf Hollyhocks are built for drama. They provide the ultimate vertical anchor for any perennial border.

• The Blooms: These plants produce tall, majestic spires packed with large, saucer-shaped blossoms. You can expect a stunning, kaleidoscopic mix of colors, including luminous yellows, classic petal-pinks, and deep, fiery reds.
• The Foliage: The leaves are large, handsome, and deeply lobed, creating a much more intricate texture than the common hollyhock.
• The Habit: These are true giants of the garden, often reaching 6 to 8 feet in height. They are remarkably sturdy and provide an unmatched vertical element to your garden design.

Figleaf Hollyhocks are robust, short-lived perennials that are famous for their ability to self-sow, ensuring you have a steady supply of these garden sentinels year after year.

Garden Bed Coverage: One packet from Firefly Farm & Mercantile provides enough seed to populate a 20 square foot bed (roughly an 8' to 10' long by 2.5' wide garden bed) or to create a dramatic 10-foot long back-of-border row.

"Figleaf Hollyhocks are the ultimate 'backdrop' flower. We love them because they bring a sense of height and vertical drama that nothing else can achieve. The fact that they resist rust makes them a true joy—you get that lush, towering cottage look without the heartbreak of spotting leaves that ruins other varieties. It’s a clean, healthy, and heavy-duty display that makes the whole garden feel lush."

• Sowing: Direct-sow in early spring or late summer. These seeds need light to germinate, so press them into the surface of the soil and barely cover them.
• Staking: In very windy or exposed areas, you may want to provide a tall stake or a simple twine support to keep the heavy spires standing perfectly upright.
• Self-Sowing: If you want them to return every year, leave the dried stalks standing until they drop their seeds in the fall. You'll find "volunteers" popping up next spring, which you can easily move to your desired location.