Spring Celebrities Crimson Hollyhock
Spring Celebrities Crimson Hollyhock
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Alcea rosea 'Spring Celebrities Crimson' |
| Mature Size | 2–3 ft tall, 1–2 ft wide |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 3–8 (fully hardy across Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Double crimson-red |
| Soil | Rich, moist, well-drained |
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.
How Many Spring Celebrities Crimson Hollyhocks Do I Need?
Set plants 18 inches apart in the mid-to-back border. Use this guide for a single-row run:
| Run length | Plants needed (18 in. apart) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 3 |
| 10 ft | 7 |
| 15 ft | 10 |
| 20 ft | 13 |
For a full cottage look, cluster in groups of 3–5 against a fence or wall.
Spring Celebrities Crimson Hollyhock Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A leafy rosette of large, rounded leaves forms at the base.
- Summer: Sturdy, self-supporting spikes carry velvety crimson-red double blooms that hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies flock to — the very first season.
- Fall: Light rebloom is possible; the plant sets seed and often self-sows for next year.
- Winter: Top growth dies back; this short-lived perennial returns from its hardy crown and seedlings.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly
Plant It With
- Spring Celebrities Lemon Hollyhock — soft yellow to lighten the deep crimson.
- Spring Celebrities Purple Hollyhock — a rich companion shade for a classic mixed hollyhock row.
- Spring Celebrities Pink Hollyhock — a softer pink to round out the cottage palette.
- Magnus Coneflower — a sturdy front-of-border partner that blooms alongside.
Is Spring Celebrities Crimson Hollyhock Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun and rich, steady-moisture soil in a spot sheltered from strong wind, perfect along fences and cottage borders. It is not a fit for dry, lean ground or for gardeners who want a long-lived plant that stays put — it is short-lived and reseeds to persist.