Hollyhocks have long been beloved garden favorites! Enjoyed for centuries by all, these stately plants add beauty wherever they grow – be it walls or buildings, perennial borders, drives or walks. Many delicate species give their full effect during their first year; so when planting newly created gardens when trees and shrubs may still be small and lacking color and foliage. Hollyhocks should not be left out!
There are both singles and doubles of Hollyhocks; doubles tend to be more popular but singles always hold special appeal due to their simple beauty and individuality. A group of well-grown Hollyhocks in bloom is worth seeing – their vibrant color draws us in, while large coarse leaves form large clumps at their base while long spikes of flowers reach up to 8 feet high with five or nine blossoms usually on each long stalk.
Average bloom size is around 2-3 inches across; 5-inch blooms may be achieved if given attention. Color options span from white to almost black and include pink, flesh, rose-pink salmon-rose colors; golden yellow canary-yellow canary yellow colors canary canary-yellow hues; dark red-purple-crimson dark maroon as well as white center or margin varieties of all these hues with either white centers or margins; blooming season generally runs late June to September; fringed petaled varieties known as Allegheny Hollyhocks can reliably bloom each year they’re planted; fringed petaled varieties known by this name make for spectacular displays; while annual types may reliably bloom the same year they’re planted – giving rise to exquisite Allegheny Hollyhock varieties whose fringed petals form part of their charm while providing annual varieties that bloom within 24 hours of being planted (for example).
How to use Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks have long been valued as landscape plants, providing cover from unsightly areas such as in borders or among trees and shrubs. Hollyhocks can also be cut for cut flower arrangements but wilt very rapidly once used this way.
Where to Plant
They require deep, well-draining soil with equal parts loam and leaf mold for planting, as well as well-decayed manure to enrich it further. In order to successfully establish them in their new homes, warm temperatures are encouraged during planting as well as plenty of water during dry weather periods.
How to Grow Once seeds ripen in August, they should be planted directly in light soil and the seedlings nurtured under cold frames until springtime. Ground preparation must also be prioritized early. Hollyhocks self-sow rapidly.
Hollyhocks that have been grown for several years in one location may become susceptible to rust. While this does cause little trouble among vigorous young plants, rust infestation can become severe over time. A mixture of lime and sulfur blown under the leaves should prevent serious outbreaks; Bordeaux mixture is another option. Badly infested plants should be dug and burnt immediately while Mallow-like weeds should also be kept at bay by sowing seeds as recommended in August instead of Spring.
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