Alcea rosea Biennial Partial Shade Germination in 21-28 days Double Paeony-like blooms on tall, elegant spires Add colour, scale, and height along the back of any border A cottage garden favourite Bring a little 'olde worlde' charm to your borders with these cottage garden favourites. The paeony-shaped flowers are mostly double in an impressive colour range which includes pink, scarlet, yellow and white. A hardy biennial, flowering the first year. Approx. 50 seeds Sow indoors for surest results, March-May, 1.5cm (½”) deep, in a tray of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or on a warm kitchen windowsill. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 21-28 days. Transplant individually, when large enough to handle, to 7.5cm (3") pots. Always hold by a leaf, never by the stem. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions, before planting out into well-drained soil, June-October, 60cm (2') apart. Sow outdoors, May-July, in a seed bed, 0.5cm (¼") deep, into finely-prepared, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Thin seedlings to 7.5cm (3") apart, before planting out to flowering position in autumn. Flowers: June-August, the following year. In cold areas, the young plants will benefit from some cloche protection in the worst of the winter weather. Plant in an area with good air circulation to help prevent rust.