BLACK HOLLYHOCKS:

An old-time garden favourite with flowers as close to black as you can get - does well in partial shade or in full sun.  Blooms in year two and then relies on its seed to come back.   New flowers are almost black, as they mature on the plant they soften to a deep maroon colour   Some staking may be required as plants reach 2 m (6’) or more. Sow direct in late fall, early May or start indoors in April.  High temperatures limits germination - 16 degrees seems to be the best.  Cover seeds with only 1 cm of soil.  Space plants at least 35 cm apart.  40 seeds.    P405