Growing Hollyhocks
82hollyhocks
Majestic and proud, those are the words that come to mind when I see hollyhocks and ancient. The hollyhock has been around for a number of centuries and there are times when I am standing near one that I can almost feel the pull of that history.
The hollyhock is well known in the English cottage garden standing above all else well except maybe the delphiniums, but unlike the beautiful but tender delphs the hollyhock can stand alone without support.
If you do live in a place with high winds, I’d still provide them with some support though why take chances.
The hollyhock is often referred to as a biennial which means the plant flowers in the second year but it is considered by some to be a short lived perennial.
So remember when you plant the seeds in the fall that is you do not see flowers that first summer, do not despair and rip them out, give them the time that they need and your patience will be richly rewarded.
There are annual hollyhocks available. The hollyhock will self-seed.
An aside, the house I grew up in had hollyhocks planted in a small side yard near the neighbour’s house. It was a favourite play area for us when w e was small. It was a little space and the hollyhocks dominate the area. The frequent bees buzzing in and out also added a fascination.
One day that house was torn down and the hollyhocks went with it. I was a teenager at the time and had pretty much forgotten my old companions.
One day, about ten years later when my parents were getting ready to move, I was cleaning up the backyard and noticed that there were hollyhocks coming up. They were about 2 feet tall. My parents had not planted them.
I decided that they were sprouting from seed that had been scattered all those years ago, and this chance meeting renewed my affection for this magnificent plant.
The hollyhock enjoys being in the sun but is happy with some shade. Make sure the soil is rich and somewhat moist, if you want the plant to thrive. Just before you plant be sure to add well-aged manure or compost as this will help the plant grow. You can sow the seeds outdoors just slightly beneath the surface of the soil one week before last frost. It may take 10-14 days for the seed to germinate. Be sure to space the seeds 18-36 inches apart.If the weather is dry it is vital to provide water if you want them to flower. You can plant hollyhocks near a rain barrel if the site gets sufficient sunshine. They can help beautify the spot and this will make regular watering easier, provided, of course, that it rains.
The hollyhock flower is edible and would look great in a salad. I prefer to leave them on the plant and enjoy them visually but it is good to know that they have a secondary purpose.
The hollyhock is an ideal plant for the back of the border along the fence and especially with chain link fences can help serve as a privacy screen.
Drop by your favorite plant nursery and see the varieties that wait.
hollyhocks
growing hollyhocks
- Growing Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks, or as the Latin purists will have us Alcea species, are wonderfully easy plants for the beginner gardener. But while they are indeed easy to grow,
biennals
hollyhock care
- WHEN TO PLANT HOLLYHOCK SEEDS
Spring or Summer? When to plant hollyhock seeds
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Ooh I love hollyhocks. Great hub! Thanks!
Thanks for the comments.
hollyhocks make a real impact in a border. Unfortunately most of mine were eaten by the rabbits, so I need to replant.
My wife and I planted some hollyhocks about 5 years ago and have never replanted. They self seeded to the point to where I had to take some out. They stand proudly along our back fence. White and purple monument flowers they are.
thanks for the comments, if the rabbits leave them alone, they can do well.
I wonder if Hollyhocks would grow in Southern India.They are so beautiful and majestic as you say.Thanks for the info Bob.
It may be too hot and dry.
i was told that hollyhocks were poisionous to dogs? Could anyone help me out.
Wow I love this hub. My parents used to have hundred of hollyhocks lining on side of our property, however many of these have died off over the years. I love how hardy hollyhocks are and these are such beautiful flowers.
thanks, that would have been a sight to see.
Cook are you? What is your favourite genre to cook? Italian, Greek, Asian?
Daniel
I cook, eclectic would be the style.
My freind gave me some Hollyhock plants which she grew in France, now they are flowering wonderfuly in my garden in Southern Spain(my little peice of English garden in Spain)
Thanks for dropping by.
Hollyhocks are one of my favourites. Great hub Bob! You've inspired me to plan a space for them in the garden. I love dreaming about next year's garden at this time of year!
Dreams and seed catalogues are essential when gardening season slows down. Thanks for stopping by.
Never could get them to grow, but I guess they did after I moved. It seemed as tho I was planting something for someone else all those years ago. We have a neighbor who has them growing along the ditch by the driveway and they have been coming up for over 10 years now. :)
The hollyhocks disappeared, were taken out many years ago at my parents' old place but reappeared some years later. Thanks for dropping by.
Do you know about the colors seeming to turn a generic yellowish color after their first year of beautiful variety in color? My neighbors hh's were breathtaking the first year. Now they look wimpy and yellowish.
I will see what i can find out.
I love hollyhocks,I have some pink ones
Thanks for dropping by
Thanks for dropping by
You reminded me to plant my seeds. thanks. they are beautiful, and attract many variety of pollinating insects and birds. Breat hub.
Thanks, thank you for dropping by.
Thanks again, Bob. I love HollyHocks too. Tell me, how do you get your music and powerpoint on the website?
On this hub or my blog? Thanks for dropping by.
It looks like it could be a good fit to plant
along my fence at the back of the lot.
Maria
Along a fence is indeed a good place for hollyhocks, happy gardening.
I planted hollyhock seeds last year and they did not flower (fair enough). This year I can see no evidence of a flower spike either. Is it to early, or can you get sterile plants?
It may be too early what zone do you live in.
I live in the UK, outer london. It is mid spring here and so clematis/roses/aquilegas have healthy buds...but nothing from the hollyhocks.
It may be a bit early yet for the hollyhocks give them another two weeks and see if they begin to bud then.
I planted some holleyhock plants last summer, cut them back in the fall, and they are not coming back this year. can someone help me with this? please reply to wyowilliams@wyoming.com
thanks, linda
I have a dreadful time keeping my leaves looking healthy...is it a fungi? What can I do??
Are the leaves browning or wilting?
My leaves get brown spots like polka dots , and the leaves turn pale green...
I will see what I can find
What a cheerful, old fashioned flower. I love that they attract hummers and butterfies.
Thanks for dropping by.
Planted one earlier this year.still waiting for it to flower,after reading above posts,looks like i will have to wait till next year
happy gardening
Mom always grew beautiful hollyhocks up north but they grew so tall they fell over and were such a bother to keep up but we came south and they don't grow so tall and are perfect. She passed away in June but I will keep her hollyhocks and morning glories going. A happy hub, thx.
Polly
Flowers make good memories, thanks for visiting and happy gardening.
I tried growing hollyhocks this year for the first time and it did not work out too well. I had to make a few trips and didn't get around to watering them before they dried out. I had forgotten all about them and focused on my veggie garden, but after this post, I've decided to give them another chance next season. Thanks for the motivation...
They are worth it.
Enjoyed your garden memory the most. Thanks.
You are welcome, flowers, vegetables, gardens, even compost all invoke memory.
Your hub was very helpful, I got the information I was looking for. I was searching on Yahoo and your hub is number 2 congrats! I typed in growing hollyhocks.
Thanks for the ranking info and I am happy you found the information useful, happy growing.
This is my first year for hollyhocks. I have enjoyed the beautiful blooms and sturdy stalks but do I cut them down for the winter? When do they reseed?
This will answer your questions about seeds: http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/Hollyhock_Seeds.ht
i would cut them back after the seeds have gone.
Thank you, Bob. That link was very informative! I appreciate your help.
Glad to be of service.
thanks so much Bob for posting so much info , ive got the black looking hollyhalks they are so beautiful . you have helped me with your site thanks so much!
I am pleased the info was helpful, thanks for letting me know and have a great day.
Stacie Naczelnik 3 years ago
They are pretty. I never knew until now what they are called.