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Among perennial horticultural crops, a special place is occupied by the stockrose. This plant, which many people confuse with mallow, has incredibly bright and lush inflorescences and can grow up to 2.5 meters in height. In this material, you will get acquainted with the description of the stockrose, as well as with the peculiarities of planting and caring for this garden plant. Stockrose (or Álcea) is a flowering garden plant in the Malvaceae family. The genus of this garden culture includes 77 varieties, among which there are annuals, biennials and perennials. Stockrose has bisexual massive flowers of regular shape. The corolla of the plant consists of 5 connected petals, and there is also a characteristic subtlety. The plant is characterized by alternate and symmetrical leaf plates of light green color, an erect, elongated stem, as well as a tap and powerful root system. The dried fruits of this garden culture resemble brown cakes. One fruit capsule can contain from 14 to 40 brown bean-like seeds. Depending on the age of the plant and its variety, it can grow up to 2.5 meters in height. In their natural environment, these flowers are rare. Their reproduction occurs mainly by seeds, which are carried to a new place by wind or wild animals. The flowering period of a horticultural culture lasts about 2-3 months and usually begins in late June or July. Today, stockroses are grown exclusively for decorative purposes for the sake of their bright and massive inflorescences - each open bud can reach 20 cm. The inflorescences themselves are with single-row or double petals - the latter are similar to the flowers of an ordinary rose. Stockrose belongs to the Malvaceae family, but it is considered an independent genus, which has about 80 species. It is because of the external similarity of mallow and stockrose, as well as due to their relationship to the same family, that many gardeners do not see the difference between these plants. Below are factors that will help you understand how garden stockrose differs from mallow. • The most important difference between these plants is the period of growth in a permanent place. If mallow or mallow belongs to biennial or annual plants, then stockrose may be perennial. • The second important difference between stockrose and mallow is different growth rates. For example, if mallow usually does not grow more than 120 cm in height, then stockrose can grow up to 2.5 meters. The same applies to the minimum height of these flowers - for mallow it is 30 cm, and for stockrose - 50. It is due to the higher height that the stockroses are planted near fences or brick walls. • Some differences are related to specific features. As already mentioned, the stockrose genus includes about 80 (to be more precise, 77) varieties, while the mallow genus consists of only 29 species. The natural area of distribution of these plants can also be distinguished - stockrose is considered an exclusively domesticated plant and is usually found only as a garden culture. And some varieties and types of mallow grow in the wild. • Stockrose is a more demanding horticultural crop - it needs special preparation for the winter and, when sown, forms only rosettes without inflorescences. Mallow, in turn, does not require special preparation for winter and can bloom in the first year. In addition, both mallow and stockrose are grown by seed. The difference in planting here is that the mallow is usually planted directly in the open ground, while the stockrose is usually planted in seedlings first. Stockrose is versatile in garden decoration. It can be planted in small groups in a flowerbed, or it can grow against brick walls or fences to create a flower hedge. It is very convenient to use stockrose as a bright background for low-growing plants - in this case, it will not obscure other flowers. As already mentioned, today stockroses are actively grown precisely for decorative purposes - all thanks to the height of such plants and their bright inflorescences, which can bloom for more than 2 months. It is worth saying that these flowers can be grown both to decorate a garden plot and for cutting - often bright bouquets of stockroses can be found on the market. In a flowerbed, such plants can be successfully combined with all crops with the same rich and voluminous inflorescences. Compositions of stockrose with chamomiles, lupins, delphiniums, phlox or cuffs look best. It is noteworthy that stockroses can be grown both in the open field and in large decorative pots, flowerpots or flower pots. Stockroses can perfectly disguise outbuildings or old gazebos in the garden.
