Alcea rosea Chaters Mix

Chaters Mix Hollyhock

A classic, old-fashioned cottage garden favorite, Chater’s Mix is a blended seed strain offering a showy assortment of large, cup-shaped flowers in a range of colors — typically including pinks, reds, whites, yellows, and bi-colors. It’s prized for its tall, architectural flower spikes and long summer display.

Key features



Width: 2–3 ft



Height: 6–8 ft (often up to 9 ft)



Flower colors: Mixed — shades of pink, red, white, yellow, apricot, and bi-color



Bloom time: Early to mid summer, sometimes with later flushes



Flower form: Mostly single or semi-double, broad overlapping petals



Life cycle: Biennial (commonly grown as short-lived perennial; typically self-seeds)



Growing conditions



Sun: Full sun (best flower production)



Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost



Water: Moderate; regular watering during dry spells



Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8



Landscape use



Cottage & informal borders: Ideal background for lower perennials



Pollinator gardens: Nectar source for bees & butterflies



Vertical accents: Great for drawing the eye upward in mixed beds



Cut flowers: Long stems for fresh or dried arrangements



Care tips



Support: Tall spikes benefit from staking in breezy sites



Disease: Good air circulation helps reduce hollyhock rust; avoid overhead watering



Self-sowing: Allow some spent flowers to set seed if you want seedlings next year

Plant type

Perennial

Height

18"

Width

6"

Hardiness zones

2–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Summer, Summer

Flower color

Pink, Red, White, Yellow

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Clay, Loamy, Well Drained

Landscape use

Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Salt tolerant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No