The Hollyhock Chater's Double, 'Alcea rosea', has tall spires of peony-shaped double flowers that look great against a fence or wall. An English garden of the 1850's would have several varieties of Hollyhock. Chater's Double has 5 inch flowers on tall spikes that have the colors of yellow, purple, pink, red, white, and apricot. They begin to bloom in early summer and continue to bloom for 30 to 90 days.
Hollyhocks prefers full sun and heat. The plants should not be crowded by other plants, and they require good air circulation. Hollyhocks thrive in heavily composted fertile, organic soils. They require regular waterings. Plant seed in early summer, if planted too early they seem to lose their perennial habit. Charter's Double is used for edible flowers, cut flowers, dried flowers, and as background screens.