Native Plant Alternatives to Alcea rosea (Hollyhock)

Alcea rosea, also known as the hollyhock, is a popular garden plant well-known for its tall spires of large, colorful flowers. It is also known for its tendency to self-seed under the right conditions.

When a hollyhock plant blooms, it produces seeds within its flowers. Once these seeds mature, the flower heads dry out, and the seeds are eventually released. If they fall onto suitable ground, they may germinate and grow into new plants the following season.

This self-seeding process can be advantageous for gardeners who want to propagate their hollyhocks without much effort. However, it’s important to note that self-seeding can also lead to hollyhocks spreading in your garden more than you might prefer. If you want to control where your hollyhocks grow, you can collect the seeds once the flower heads have dried. This prevents them from scattering and allows you to sow them where you choose.

Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.