PINK HOLLYHOCK - ALCEA ROSEA

HOLLYHOCK - ALCEA ROSEA

During July and August there is no plant which adds so much to the stateliness of the flower garden as the Hollyhock.

Hollyhock flowers, in rich and delicate colors, from the deepest crimsons and maroons, to blush pinks, whites and pale yellows, are borne in a long succession on tall stems 1 - 3 meters high.

Most hollyhocks are technically biennials - producing leaves the first year and flowers the next. However they often last longer than two years and so can be described as short lived perennials.

WHERE TO PLANT HOLLYHOCKS

The beauty of the hollyhock flower is much enhanced when displayed against a background such as a grey wall, fence,tall green hedge or a border of evergreen shrubs - yet hollyhocks should not really be planted close to hedges or shrubs as they both usually have very hungry roots which will take the nutrients needed by the hollyhock plant.

Hollyhocks seem especially at home in country towns and suburbs and thrive well in corners and narrow flower borders near walls where they are protected in the winter from excessive wet conditions. They are very drought resistant.

The small annual hollyhock 'Majorette Mixed' which has large semi-double blooms is ideal to grow in a flower border with other annuals and perennials.

The hollyhock is a favorite in the cottage garden

GROWING HOLLYHOCKS FROM SEED

Many growers rely entirely on plants raised from seed the previous summer, or during February and march for flowering in July and August.

When hollyhocks are grown quickly in this way they escape many chances of infection with hollyhock rust or other diseases..

Hollyhock seed is large, and if you buy packets of seed, the number of seeds in a packet is relatively small - so it is best to sow the seed in trays filled with sandy soil to within 1 cm of the rim then cover with 1 cm of soil or seed compost.

Place the seed trays in a cold frame and shade them if the weather is warm.

When sowing in spring a greenhouse or warm frame is an advantage.

If space is limited, hollyhocks may be sown more thickly and transplanted as soon as they show a true leaf - either into trays or singly into small pots. Grow on and harden off carefully.

CARE OF HOLLYHOCK PLANTS

As hollyhocks grow to a great height and are often exposed to the full force of the wind it is best to provide strong stakes as support.

Hollyhocks love a deep, rich, loamy soil - but they will often thrive without it.

If you water hollyhocks during the summer months give them a thorough soaking, followed by amulch of well rotted manure.

There is a long succession of flowers, and as the lower blooms fade they should be picked off so that the plant is not weakened by the production of seed.

When flowering is over for the season the plants may be cut down to about 15 - 20 centimeters high and the stump covered with coal ashes, if available. This keeps the slugs and snails away and causes water to drain away from the soft stem.

If taken care of in this way, hollyhock plants will often last for several years.