A Compact, First-Year-Blooming Double Hollyhock in Crimson

Spring Celebrities Crimson Hollyhock (Alcea rosea 'Spring Celebrities Crimson') makes a bold statement with rich, velvety crimson-red double blooms that open the very first season on compact, sturdy stems. It delivers all the dramatic cottage-garden height appeal of classic hollyhocks in a tidier, staking-free form, and its deep-toned flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. A striking pick for sunny borders in Edina, Maple Grove, and Woodbury.

Landscape Uses

Use Spring Celebrities Crimson in cottage gardens, sunny borders, along fences and walls, and in pollinator and hummingbird gardens. Its compact height suits smaller spaces, and it often reseeds to return year after year.

Best Time to Plant

Plant in spring for blooms the same season. Hollyhocks prefer a sunny, sheltered spot out of strong wind.

How to Plant

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill with compost-enriched soil, water thoroughly, and mulch 2–3 inches deep.

Watering

First Year: Water deeply 2–3 times per week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Water regularly during dry spells; hollyhocks prefer steady moisture.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line keeps the root zone moist while keeping foliage dry, which helps reduce rust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it bloom the first year?
Yes, the Spring Celebrities series flowers in its first season, unlike traditional hollyhocks.

Does it need staking?
Usually not; its compact height makes it much sturdier than old-fashioned hollyhocks.

Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, hardy to Zone 3; it's a short-lived perennial that often reseeds to persist.

Does it attract pollinators?
Yes, hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies love the blooms.

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Pair Spring Celebrities Crimson with the purple, pink, and lemon hollyhocks and other cottage-garden perennials for a classic sunny border.