Alcea rosea or Hollyhocks are tall, rigid stemmed plants with spikes of simple but beautiful open trumpet shaped flowers that bloom through summer and autumn in a wide variety of colours.
Foliage is roundish in shape, rough surfaced and mid green - but you don't grow these for their leaves!!
They make the perfect tall backdrop to a colourful cottage border or bed and are quite frost hardy.
There are also double flowered varieties and other with pastel coloured flowers available. A true old fashioned yet spectacular border flower.