Spotlight Blacknight Hollyhock

Spotlight Blacknight is a tall, upright hollyhock in the Spotlight series, valued for single purple-black flowers with a contrasting yellow eye. Its dark midsummer spikes provide strong vertical contrast at the back of a sunny border or beside a fence. ## Garden use and season Walters Gardens identifies Blacknight as part of the Spotlight series, a Jelitto introduction, and describes the series as genuinely perennial rather than biennial. The exact cultivar bears near-black to black-purple flowers in midsummer; the detailed [Perennials.com profile](https://www.perennials.com/plants/alcea-rosea-spotlight-blacknight.html) reports first-season flowers, 150–180 cm height, and a 30–45 cm spread. Walters Gardens’ [Blacknight profile](https://www.waltersgardens.com/variety.php?ID=ALCBL) also lists green foliage, full sun, zones 3–9, and cut-flower use. ## Siting and care Plant in full sun and rich, moist, well-drained soil. Hollyhocks form a leafy base and tall flower stalks; they make effective background plants and can be cut for arrangements. NC State Extension notes that hollyhocks may self-seed and can develop rust, leaf spot, or anthracnose. Good air movement helps keep foliage healthy. ## Maintenance Water during establishment and dry spells. Stake stems at exposed sites, remove diseased leaves, and cut the Spotlight stems back after flowering. Allow a few seed heads to mature only if seedlings are wanted.