Alcea rosea
Origin: Philomath, Oregon
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~25
Germination tested 11/2023: 99%
Life cycle: Perennial
This beautiful burgundy hollyhock comes to us from Frank Morton, who selected it from a mixed population. Here's what Frank has to say about it: "I've read that this is a very old variety, grown by [the people enslaved by] Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. I found it in a hollyhock mix. Grows to over 6' without toppling in the wind, and seems reliably perennial here in Oregon. A portion of the plants have doubled flowers with ruffles puffing from the center.