Of the many flowers in my garden, the most beautiful, in my opinion, is the hollyhock. Before you throw up your hands in horror and exclaim, “That old weed?” let me hasten to explain that I am speaking of the new double hollyhock.
Actually, they aren’t so new. They just seem that way because they are such a rarity. I took extended drives throughout our state last summer.
While my husband watched the road, I watched flowers. I saw quite a few hollyhocks, but all of them were singles.
What a pity when for ten or 15 cents, one can purchase a package of seeds that will produce tall, majestic plants with full, ruffled blooms that remind one of the giant carnations.
Gorgeous Colors Of Hollyhock
The colors are gorgeous. They include the following:
- Deep purple
- Dark ruby red
- Rose
- Pink
- Yellow
- White
- A salmon-buff mixture
I, myself, planted them rather reluctantly last year. Planning a new flower bed, I was stymied about what I should grow in the background, along with climbing roses and delphiniums.
I thumbed through seed catalogs finding nothing in particular that interested me.
Finally, I decided on “that old weed,” mostly because they’re easy to grow. Now I wouldn’t trade them for any rose or delphinium in town.
Althaea Rosea: Chinese Perennial
The hollyhock (Althaea Rosea) was originally a Chinese perennial. Nowadays, it’s usually grown as a biennial, but it will persist from self-sown seeds.
Planting Hollyhock
When planting, sow the seeds 1/2” an inch deep in either the permanent site or seed bed. This should be done in June or July for blooms the following summer.
If transplanting is to be done, do it in the fall before the tap roots become too big. Space the plants two to three feet apart in ordinary garden soil in full sun.
Once established, hollyhocks need very little special attention since they are hardy and disease resistant.
If you should find rust, spray with ferbam or sulfur. In case of scale, treat with lemon oil spray.
For southern blight or crown rot, dose soil with one to 1,000 parts solution (in water) of bichloride of mercury.
Staking will definitely pay off. Without it, your plants will remain upright until a strong windstorm comes along. Bent and crooked, they lose their beauty.
Dwarf Double Hollyhock
There is a dwarf double hollyhock on the market now. This is a bushy plant that reaches a height of 4′ feet. It needs no staking.
Although this hollyhock is regarded as an annual, it will live for several years. Each plant gives hundreds of blooms yearly. They’re available in mixed or separate colors.
Plant double hollyhocks next time you want something tall and colorful beside your garage, near your fence, or as a background in your flower beds.
I guarantee compliments from all your friends and neighbors.
44659 by Betty Z. Brandt