Common hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

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I didn't want to let summer pass without dedicating a post to this beautiful plant. It was already growing in the garden when we moved in a year and a half ago, and now it has self-seeded: we went from having one plant with pale pink flowers last year to four or five this summer, with flowers of different colors, from pale pink to purple. I also like the fact that they are thriving without much action required from me (apart from occasionally cutting dead leaves or removing wilted flowers).

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) belong to the Malvaceae family, like the linden tree. It is worth mentioning that this plant family encompasses about 4,425 different species, as diverse as cacao, cotton, hibiscus, and the giant ceiba trees.

The origin of this plant seems unclear, with some sources indicating China, and others listing eastern and southern Europe. The Wikipedia article claims that it was brought to Europe from China in the 15th century. 

Some articles also indicate that this plant has medicinal properties. However, unlike its relative the common mallow (Malva sylvestris), the hollyhock was never mentioned in any of my courses and books on herbal medicine, so I've never used it and don't have enough information. I simply enjoy its beauty and the fact that it attracts bees and bumblebees, something I tried to capture in the photos below.