Hollyhock Flower Seeds Packet

Regular price $4.95

FREE SHIPPING on seeds when you order 5 packs or more

Hollyhock seeds for the garden that has decided it deserves better than the garden centre allows. Hollyhocks grow tall with the confidence of a plant that has been standing against English cottage walls for three hundred years.

Hollyhock is the tall cottage garden classic that grows to three metres, blooms in its second year, and makes every fence look intentional. Each packet is hermetically vacuum-sealed -- removing the oxygen that causes standard paper seed packets to lose germination viability within approximately one year. State law requires a 3-year viability label on sealed packaging. NASA research on hermetic seed storage indicates viability of up to 10 years under proper conditions. Every packet is non-GMO and germination-tested at independent third-party labs before it earns its Japanese woodblock print artwork.

How to Grow Hollyhock from Seed

Sowing and Germination

Direct sow in spring or late summer. Biennial -- blooms second year.

Care and Harvest

Tall, stately biennial reaching 1.5-2.5m. Classic cottage garden plant.

Why Vacuum-Sealed Seeds Last Longer

Standard paper seed packets are permeable to oxygen and moisture -- the two primary causes of seed degradation. Most paper-packaged seeds begin losing germination viability after approximately one year, contributing to significant garden-industry waste: packets purchased, not planted, expired, discarded. Shido Seeds are hermetically vacuum-sealed. The packet does not expire quietly in a drawer. It waits.

About the Packaging

Every Shido seed packet is illustrated in the style of Japanese 1910s woodblock printing -- designed and drawn in-house by Chive, the Toronto ceramics studio that has been exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show in London every year and does not, as a matter of principle, sell to big-box retailers. Customers collect the packets as a series. This was not the original plan.

Quick Seed Overview

  • Plant Type: Biennial
  • Genus: Alcea
  • Species: Rosea
  • Plant Height/Width: 6-8 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
  • Season: Blooms June - August
  • Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Attribute: Attract Pollinators

Satisfaction Guarantee

We stand by the quality of our flower seed packets! With high germination rates and vibrant blooms, your garden is sure to flourish. If you're not completely satisfied, we’ll replace or refund—guaranteed!

Why Shido Seeds Are the Best

Our flower and vegetable seeds are beautifully packaged little packets of magic. Guaranteed to turn your garden into the envy of the neighborhood. Get your hands dirty and let nature simply do its thing.

How to Plant Hollyhock from Seed

When to Plant Seeds

  • Outdoors: Sow seeds in late summer to early fall for blooms the following year.
  • Indoors: Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost for transplanting.

Seed Preparation

  • Hollyhock seeds do not require stratification.
  • Soaking seeds in warm water for a few hours before planting can speed up germination.

Sowing Seeds Outdoors

  1. Choose a well-drained, sunny location.
  2. Loosen soil and mix in organic matter.
  3. Scatter seeds on the surface and lightly cover with 1/4 inch of soil.
  4. Water gently and keep the area moist until germination (about 10-14 days).
  5. Thin seedlings to 18-24 inches apart for proper growth.

Starting Seeds Indoors

  1. Use peat pots or seed trays with a well-draining seed mix.
  2. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
  3. Maintain a temperature of 65-75°F for germination.
  4. Once seedlings develop two sets of true leaves, harden them off and transplant outdoors.

Pro Tip

They’re biennials, so for continuous blooms, plant seeds two years in a row. Stake tall varieties to keep them from toppling over, and let some flowers go to seed for natural reseeding next season.

Bonus: They attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds!

Getting to know your Hollyhock

Hollyhock is a biennial or short-lived perennial known for its towering flower spikes that can reach 6-8 feet tall. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, producing large, colorful, funnel-shaped flowers in pink, red, yellow, purple, and white. Hollyhocks attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds and are commonly planted along fences or cottage gardens. They require support due to their height and benefit from staking. These plants are susceptible to rust fungus, so proper air circulation and well-spaced planting help prevent disease.

What it's used for

1. Ornamental Gardening:

  • Ideal for cottage gardens, fence lines, and background plantings.
  • Adds height and drama to flower beds.

2. Cut Flowers & Decorative Uses:

  • Can be used in floral arrangements and dried flower displays.
  • Pressed hollyhock petals make for beautiful botanical crafts.

3. Medicinal & Herbal Uses:

  • Traditionally used in herbal remedies for respiratory and digestive health.
  • Hollyhock tea is believed to have soothing properties.

4. Pollinator & Wildlife Support:

  • Provides nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
  • Beneficial for supporting biodiversity in gardens.

Growth Requirements

Light:

  • Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours per day).
  • Can tolerate partial shade, but blooms best in direct sunlight.

Soil:

  • Prefers rich, well-drained soil with organic matter.
  • Tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.0-8.0).
  • Avoid heavy, waterlogged soil to prevent root rot.

Watering:

  • Requires moderate watering, keeping soil moist but not soggy.
  • Once established, hollyhocks are somewhat drought-tolerant.

Temperature & Climate:

  • Hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
  • Thrives in warm summers with good air circulation.

Fertilization:

  • Benefits from a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) applied in spring.
  • Compost or organic mulch helps retain moisture and nutrients.

Maintenance

Watering:

  • Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry between watering.
  • Avoid overhead watering to prevent rust and fungal diseases.

Deadheading & Pruning:

  • Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
  • Cut back plants in fall to prevent disease spread.

Disease & Pest Prevention:

  • Hollyhocks are prone to rust (Puccinia malvacearum), a fungal disease that causes brown spots.
  • Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and avoiding overcrowding.
  • Monitor for aphids and Japanese beetles, treating with organic insecticidal soap if needed.

Pests and Diseases

Pests:

  • Aphids – Can be treated with neem oil.
  • Japanese Beetles – Handpick or use traps.

Diseases:

  • Hollyhock Rust – Prevent with good air circulation and avoid wet foliage.
  • Powdery Mildew – Reduce moisture on leaves and improve ventilation.

Growing Together with Shido

At Shido, everything we do starts with one goal: helping you have a truly successful growing experience. We know that planting seeds is just the beginning — your time, energy, and love for gardening are the real magic. That’s why we make sure the seeds you plant are fresh, full of life, and top-quality. When you choose Shido, you’re planting with confidence. We guarantee it.

Our mission is simple: bring you exceptional varieties of high-quality seeds at prices you’ll love, share detailed sowing and growing tips so you can thrive as a home gardener, and deliver the best customer service in the industry — with a smile.

Our Seed Safety Promise

We do not sell genetically modified seeds — ever. And we don’t use genetic engineering to breed new varieties. Instead, our skilled breeders use traditional, natural crossing methods to create hybrid seeds that are healthy, safe, and packed with potential.

Our Seed Quality Guarantee

At Shido, we believe great gardens start with great seeds — and that means quality comes first. Every seed lot we offer is ensure to generate top-notch germination because your garden deserves nothing less.

To keep our seeds at their peak, we run thorough pathology tests at trusted outside labs. When you open a Shido seed packet, you can trust it’s been nurtured, tested, and approved to give you strong, healthy plants from the very first sprout.

Types of Seeds We Offer

Hybrid Seeds (F1)

F1 hybrid seeds are the garden’s high achievers — created by crossing two specially chosen parent plants for superior vigor, uniformity, and performance. We use only traditional breeding methods to produce these powerhouse seeds.

Open-Pollinated & Heirloom Seeds

Our open-pollinated (OP) seeds naturally reproduce through wind, insects, water, or self-pollination. When grown in isolation, they produce true-to-type plants year after year.

Among our OP seeds are treasured heirloom varieties — old favorites that have been carefully passed down for generations. While OP plants can be less uniform than hybrids, we run our Open-Pollinated Project to select the most reliable, flavorful, and beautiful strains. Many are also available as certified organic seeds.

Non-GMO: What It Means and Why It Matters

A GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) is created when scientists alter a plant’s DNA in a lab — often by inserting genes from completely unrelated species — to achieve certain traits, like pest resistance or herbicide tolerance. This is a far cry from natural plant breeding.

At Shido, we believe gardening should stay as close to nature as possible. All our seeds — whether hybrid, heirloom, organic, or open-pollinated — are Non-GMO. They’re bred using traditional methods that respect natural biodiversity, giving you safe, wholesome seeds that grow into plants just as nature intended.

When you plant Shido Non-GMO seeds, you’re choosing purity, sustainability, and peace of mind — along with a garden full of flavor, color, and beauty.

Vacuum-Sealed for Freshness — Good for 10 Years

Every Shido seed packet is vacuum-sealed to lock in freshness and protect your seeds from moisture, air, and pests. This careful packaging not only preserves their quality but also extends their shelf life dramatically. Stored properly in a cool, dry place, our seeds remain viable for up to 10 years — so you can plant them now, next season, or even years down the road. Whether you’re planning a garden this spring or building a long-term seed stash, Shido seeds are ready when you are.


Feed Your Plants Like You Actually Know What You’re Doing

Your plants called—they're tired of your "just water and hope" approach. Give them VerteRx, the premium plant food packed with vitamins and growth boosters. Stronger roots, lusher leaves, and fewer judgmental stares from your fiddle-leaf fig. Because even plants deserve proper nutrition (unlike your diet).

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Your plants work hard to look good—shouldn’t their pots do the same? Choose from our gorgeous flower pots and let your greenery thrive in style. Because plain plastic is just rude.