Master Gardener: Hollyhocks hardy and easy to grow
Grandma was right on when it came to plant selection. Her garden was always stunning. Every grandma I ever knew who gardened had one thing in common – they grew hollyhocks (Alcea rosea ). Maybe it was because their six-foot height added such presence or maybe because the colors of the huge flowers were so clear and true or maybe because an inexpensive packet of seeds would sprout into a garden full of flowers. Personally, I think it’s because Hollyhocks are extremely hardy and super easy to grow.
A tall, stately plant with plenty of presence, the plants are very robust looking with large, coarse leaves and the flowering spikes are covered in large, papery-looking flowers. They are available in every color except blue and cultivars come in single, double and semi-doubled forms. Their large open flowers are hummingbird and butterfly magnets and they attract beneficial insects to the garden.
Hardy in zones 4 - 10, most cultivars are classified as biennials. In my Cheney garden (which is colder than Spokane) they are most often perennial. Some newer cultivars are now labeled as perennials. Leaving a few flower stalks to over-winter will insure a new crop of seedlings should winter-kill strike.
Hollyhocks are sun lovers, but semi-shaded areas work too. They aren’t too fussy about soil fertility, but do like good drainage. Once established they are fairly drought tolerant, which is why old, abandoned farmsteads still sport stands of hollyhocks. Neglected, hot or sandy sites in your yard would make good sites for a clump of hollyhocks. Just as they aren’t too fussy about soil requirements, they aren’t bothered by many pests.
Slugs sometimes nibble on the leaves of young seedlings, but are easily controlled. The only real problem that they sometimes experience is a fungal disease called rust.
Rust on hollyhocks is a fungus which presents itself as orange spots on the leaves and is associated with poor air circulation. Plant them where there’s good air movement to prevent it. If it does occur, remove the infected leaves and destroy them to avoid spreading it. Don’t compost infected leaves.
Who wouldn’t want a garden full of these lovely, easy to grow flowers? For about a buck and a half you can have all you want. They are extremely easy to grow from seed – no fussing required. Just plant the seeds where you want them to grow, water daily and in seven to 10 days you’ll have plenty of seedlings and the beginnings of a garden flower that will last until you’re a grandma or grandpa.