How to Grow and Care for Hollyhock
Perennials, Alcea RoseaMalvacae
Here is one of your Grandma's favorite flowers! Hollyhocks are easy to grow,
and will flower the first year, if started early indoors. More often though,
they will bloom the second year.You will love the profusion of tall and showy
double blooms in a wide range of colors Colors include white, yellow, crimson,
pink, rose, and red.
Hollyhocks are natives of Asia. They have heart shaped leaves and bloom from
July to September in most areas. These tall flowers make great backgrounds,
borders, or even fences.
Note: While most hollyhock are perennials, there are some annual varieties.
Propagation:
Hollyhock are often started from seed. They can be sowed directly into your
flower garden. We recommend that you start them indoors six to eight weeks
before the last frost, and they may bloom the first year.
In the garden, they need plenty of room. Final spacing should be 18-24".
Give them plenty of room to allow air circulation and minimize rust and other
disease.
Established plants can be separated by division. This is best done in the
fall to allow the replants time to grow good roots in their new location
before winter.
How to Grow Hollyhock:
Hollyhock like full sun to partial shade. They will grow quickly to a height
of four to five feet or more, depending upon the variety you have selected
for your yard.
Hollyhock likes rich, well drained soil. Water as needed to keep the soil
moist at all times. Adding a general purpose fertilizer once a month will
result in bigger, fuller blooms.
After the growing season is over, Hollyhock should be cut back to ground
level. To assure that the plant doesn’t get killed out completely, cover
the area with mulch, in case the winter is real harsh.
Insect and Disease:
Insects problems are not too common and can be treated with insecticides
and insecticidal soaps.
Rust disease is a common problem. We recommend you apply fungicides regularly.
More Information:
Buy Flower, Vegetable and Herb Seeds Finest quality
Ferry Morse Seed, America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee
to grow". |
