Black Hollyhock (Alcea rosea var. Nigra)

This plant of the mallow family can grow up to 2.5 meters. In fact, the "black" flowers are not really black but dark red. Flowering occurs from June to October and attracts bees and bumblebees. This biennial plant can be sown early in the year, in March and in the first year and you can enjoy the beautiful flowers. Mallow has a long history as a medicinal plant (and thus described by the Chinese 5,000 years ago) and is traditionally a plant cultivated by farmers. It is also suitable as background plant in an aromatic area or flowerbed.

Soil: permeable soil, rich in nutrients - pH 5.8 - 6.8, and if possible, protection from. Excessive watering or rain the leaves turn yellow. Growing mallow in pots is problematic and in any case the pot has to be very large and very high.

Light: Likes direct sun

Multiplication: by seeds, planting them in the greenhouse or a window sill at 18-20 degrees (germinate in the dark). Seed depth is approx. 2 cm and cover the pots to protect them from light. Germination takes 2 to 3 weeks.

In winter: Prune after flowering and cover completely with dry weeds.

Uses:

In the kitchen: The flowers are delicious in salads. Dried flowers can also be used as food coloring and putting them into a tea gives a nice red color. The young fruits can also be eaten.

In the home: food coloring for Easter eggs.

Medicinal: In infusion to alleviate bronchitis and fever. Components of mallow can also soothe irritation of the mucous membranes and have an anti-inflammatory effect. used externally for eczema and dermatitis.