Chaters Double Red

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Malvaceae

Order

Malvales

Genus

Alcea

Species

rosy

Description

A perennial ornamental herbaceous plant with an upright habit, up to 2.00 metres high; appreciated for its spectacular and impressive blossoms that lend spectacularity to gardens and terraces from mid-summer to mid-autumn with a profusion of peoniform flowers in vibrant colours and gathered in spiky inflorescences. During the winter period it tends to shed its aerial part only to reappear in spring. Highly rustic, it prefers full sun exposures.

Variety description

It is a very showy plant due to its height and large inflorescence, with flowering over a long period of time. It is a perennial plant that reappears in late spring and its flowering lasts throughout the summer.

Curiosities and special features

Some species belonging to the Alcea genus are used for their therapeutic effects as an emollient, to control inflammation and relieve coughs; starch is extracted from the roots of some varieties, while the shoots and flowers are used in the preparation of infusions and in homeopathy.

Origin and distribution

Native to Asia, particularly China, it has been cultivated for centuries both as an ornamental plant and for use in natural medicine; it arrived in England from south-western China during the 15th century, immediately arousing admiration as it was used to decorate characteristic cottage gardens and then spread throughout Europe.

Flower size

The flower, united in a conspicuous spike-like inflorescence, is singularly medium in final size.

Leaf

The leaf blade is heart-shaped.

Flowering period

The flowering period lasts from mid-summer to mid-autumn for a duration of 120 to 150 days, allowing for colour even in the early autumn period during which other ornamentals may fade.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence spike.

Leaf colour

Solid colours.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 1.5 to 2 m, making it an attractive focal point of significant ornamental value.

Lifespan

Perennial plant.

Where to plant

Appreciated for scenic blooms to add colour and visibility in flower beds, outdoor tubs

Stem

Herbaceous, semi-woody stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is peoniform, medium-sized, with a dialipetal corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in large spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-summer to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 150 days. It has bitter notes and is lightly scented, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to beetles and butterflies.

Growth

It expresses a very vigorous growth, ideal for becoming a star plant in flowerbeds and terraces.

Plant habit

The alcea has the typical upright posture aimed at enhancing the showy spike-like inflorescence.

Branching

The plant naturally does not branch.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil or substrate is slightly acidic, between 5.8 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in the garden in mid-spring, the soil must be properly prepared as follows: lightly dig up the soil by removing any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky stones, then bury organic or chemical fertiliser, which will provide the necessary nutrients for the seedling's initial development, and break up the coarser clods to make them more soft. Finally, add professional substrate for flowering plants to the surface to a height of approx. 5/10 cm and carefully level out. We recommend the use of supports and restraining ties in view of the final height reached by the plant.

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Sun exposure

It expresses best growth and flowering results when exposed to full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 10 and 30 °C. The ideal temperature is between 15 and 25 °C; it is well adapted to hot summer climates.

Use

The scenic blooms give it a primary role in
Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

It is highly rustic; exposing it to full light and fertilising it regularly will add elegance and colour to your green spaces.

Soil

It prefers loose, light, peaty soil; for use in pots and planters, use a spring plant substrate containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Easy to grow, the level of management effort required for optimal growth is low.

Growing tips

Here are some cultivation tips for best performance in a flower bed or planter:

Expose the plant to maximum light Always maintain abundant fertilisation to avoid yellowing of the vegetation.

Combinations with other plants

Suitable in compositions with other ornamentals such as Yarrow, Cosmos, Dahlia, Digitalis, Echinacea, Lavandula, Lupinus, Verbascum , Verbena by means of predefined design schemes prior to transplanting in relation to the colour tones of the blooms and the heights reached by each plant.

Planting

As with any ornamental bedding species, planting should be carried out at a suitable density to ensure the expression of the best vigour in growth, thus achieving proportionate and visually harmonious final effects; an average planting density of 8 plants per square metre is therefore recommended.

Propagation

Easily reproduced from seed.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water, intervening with manual wetting or using an irrigation system. Immediately after transplanting, carry out regular and modulated interventions according to the needs of the plant, preventing both water saturation conditions and dryness with subsequent leaf yellowing. Afterwards, always keep the soil or substrate moist but without water stagnation, which can cause the development of fungal diseases and subsequent root or collar rot with plant death.

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Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out a background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. After proper establishment in the new planting site, during the spring-summer period, regularly apply a specific liquid fertiliser for ornamental plants at the foot of the plant, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to suitable dosages and frequencies as indicated on the relevant information label.

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Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity not known. Avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible ornamental Species.

Toxicity for humans

Ingestion toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

It is advisable to always fertilise abundantly and support the inflorescence with a brace, watch out for possible snail attacks on the vegetation.