Alcea setosa, the bristly hollyhock, is an ornamental plant in the family Malvaceae. The bristly hollyhock is native to the Levant: ranging from Crete, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria to the botanical region of Palestine (including Israel and Jordan). The part above ground of the plant withers and dies in the summer. In the winter, a rosette of flowers develops and a vertical flowering stem grows out of it. The pink flowers are numerous and large, while in the Galilee and the Carmel the flowers are darker and in the Gilboa and Samaria the flowers are lighter. In the Mount Lebanon, flowers ranging from dark pink to white can be found. The whole plant is bristly, hence its common name. The plant flowers from April until June. In folk medicine, the liquid of the plant is used to treat injuries, burns, coughs and inflammation. The flower buds are edible, cooked and raw, and are considered as medicine for sicknesses in the airways. In Lebanese villages, Bristly hollyhock flowers are dried in the sun, then mixed with other herbs and wild flowers, prepared as concoctions, and served as tea drinks.
Bristly Hollyhock has good disease resistance and is generally not prone to illnesses. However, it can be vulnerable to pests and diseases present in its environment. These infections are typically mild. Regarding care, this plant needs moderate maintenance. It should be pruned regularly to keep a neat appearance and support healthy growth. Applying fertilizer can also help encourage flowering. Bristly Hollyhock is appropriate for anyone with an outdoor area, such as a garden or patio, and does not demand extensive gardening experience. It may need more attention when grown indoors.
How to keep Alcea Setosa.
Light
Bristly Hollyhock is a sun-loving herbaceous perennial native to open habitats, often thriving in meadows and grasslands. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial sun.
Temperature
Bristly Hollyhock can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but its distribution may still be constrained by different combinations of moisture and heat. It grows best in warm summer conditions with sufficient rainfall or watering. Extended stretches of cloudy, rainy weather or prolonged high temperatures can raise the chance of Bristly Hollyhock dying. In winter, adequate protection from cold can enhance the plant’s survival rate.
Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize a Bristly Hollyhock is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and starts active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients for healthy development. Although Bristly Hollyhock has fairly low fertilizer requirements, giving it fertilizer annually can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting blooms.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Alcea
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 4-9
- Mature Height
- 0.91 m to 2.13 m
- Mature Spread
- 61 cm to 91 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Pink, White
- Flower Size
- 7.62 cm to 11.43 cm
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
- Native Area
- Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Greece
Other names.
