I have been waiting for this pink hollyhock to finish flowering and for its seeds to ripen. At last it has, and I’ve cut down the old stems and taken them away to a sunny, sheltered spot where I’m hoping it will seed itself around. (I need to clear the hollyhock’s space so that it can become part of a new bog garden.)
The plant was the offspring of a series of hollyhocks that have self-sown in the area for the last few years. Originally I had planted a few seedlings bought at a community plant sale. I can’t now remember what colour the flowers were. Possibly yellow, because I do remember some very pretty double yellow flowers and it seems likely that they would eventually revert to producing plants with single flowers.
This year there was only the one plant. That’s probably a result of all the disturbance of having the fence renewed last year. But this single plant was much bigger than any of the previous hollyhocks. When I cut the stems, I measured the longest and found that it had reached a height of 10 feet. (Hollyhocks do grow tall, but are more likely to be 6 to 8 ft.) It was lucky that it hasn’t been windy enough to blow the stems over!
There’s a lot of discussion about whether hollyhocks are biennial or perennial. (They don’t flower until their second year.) The RHS says that they are short-lived perennials, so I’m happy to go with that. But I haven’t tried to move the hollyhock to a new position because they have deep tap roots and don’t like to be disturbed.
If there’s time next year, I may grow some new plants from seed. I’d love to have a range of colours, including pale yellow, the really dark purples, and strong pinks like the flower above. This one sadly wasn’t in my garden, but was photographed outside a pretty cottage a few years ago. (I’ve seen a wonderful range of colours outside some of the pretty medieval cottages in the villages around here…the tall flowers and quaint cottages seem to go so well together!)
Whatever colours I might fancy in hollyhocks, the bees seemed happy with this year’s pink. This plant has attracted many bees, so that would be a good reason for keeping some of the same shade – and a good reason for growing varieties with single flowers rather than the doubles. If I manage to grow hollyhocks in a number of different colours, I must take note of which they prefer – could be an interesting little project!
Ann Mackay: Inspired by Nature 
Best hollyhock pics Ann! Stunning photos that make me want to dance with joy.. thanks for these.. they’re truly uplifting!
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Thanks Liz! I’m delighted with your reaction – makes posting these pics feel truly worthwhile. 🙂 (And lets hope for more hollyhocks in future…)
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We’ve considered Hollyhocks but have yet to try any. Maybe next year. Love the two tones of yours.
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Hollyhocks seem to suit the soil and climate here – lots in some of the older villages, where they’ve probably grown for a long time. This is the first time I’ve had such a tall one – it really surprised me!
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I loved the hollyhock seed pods when I was a child. I remember them being papery and fuzzy, with all of those seeds perfectly lined up. I was surprised to read your mention of yellow. I went to look, and sure enough; there they were. I always think of hollyhocks as pink or white, probably because that’s what we grew in our garden. That strong pink is especially pretty. I hope you have a good crop next year!
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I think I may grow some more from a packet of seed, so that I can introduce some other colours. The way the seeds are packed in their fuzzy round pods appeals to me, and the perfect little circle of seeds. 🙂
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Love your Hollyhock images Ann! I think it is cool that you are going to keep track of which colors the bees like. That could be really interesting.
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I’m hoping to notice what flowers do best with the bees and to grow more for them, so hopefully the garden will evolve to be a good place for bees and other insects. 🙂
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I think that is really cool!
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Thanks Syd! Creating a ‘bee garden’ gives purpose to tending my little patch! 🙂
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It’s lovely how the sun though the petals is lighting them up. Hollyhocks must be one of the most atmospheric cottage garden flowers, especially the really tall ones. I’m always happy to see them.
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I agree – they look wonderful in a cottage garden and really suggest that style of garden to me. The height makes a great contrast to the shorter flowering plants too and comes in useful if you want something tall but not too bulky.
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Love hollyhocks, even though the wind always blows mine over.
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I was lucky enough to avoid them getting blown over, but they do tend to sway in the slightest breeze, making photography tricky!
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The photos of your hollyhock are absolutely gorgeous, Ann. I hope you will be successful in growing more of its kind in your garden.
Flowery wishes,
Tanja
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Thank you for the flower wishes, Tanja! I will certainly try to grow some more in future – they really deserve any space I can give them. 🙂
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You actually motivated me to try to grow some again, Ann. I sowed seeds a few years ago, but they never germinated. Not sure if I had chosen a bad location for them. I will try to do better next time.
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I usually sow seeds in trays or modules, otherwise they tend to get dug up by my cats!
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No cats here, but plenty of rabbits, squirrels, and birds, so the seeds could have been dug up by any number of animals.
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Haha, yes, we don’t have rabbits just here but we do have squirrels and birds fossicking about… 🙂
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I usually don’t mind sharing, but lately the deer have been taxing my patience. They have attacked some of our aspen saplings to rub off or eat the bark, destroying a protective fence not once but three (!) times in the process! Sigh…
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Deer sound very difficult to deal with! There aren’t many around here – too much intensive arable farming. There were a lot more in Scotland but they usually stayed away from houses.
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Our deer are quite accustomed to people, Ann, and to people’s gardens. I think the only long-term solution will be to put a new fence around the property which is too tall for them to jump
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It will be worth it to protect your garden!
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I agree.
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