By Gretchen Ehlen
An old fashioned beauty, the Hollyhock has been
revered as a favorite from the time of Thomas Jefferson.This
towering, majestic plant is a wonderful addition in the background of a
perennial border, a colorful shock among shrubs, or in the traditional
setting, they are at home against a building or fence.
Tolerant of almost any well-drained soil, the Hollyhock
thrives in full sun.A single stalk
can produce a dozen of more flowers, serving beautifully as a cut flower,
but wilting quickly.Planted 2 feet
apart, in groups of 8 to 12, they will appear a breathtaking throng of
towering color and pizzazz.Planted
against a bare wall of the front of a house or building, hollyhocks are
a warm welcome.The height of this
plant sometimes causes them to appear to have �shins�; planting a wall
of dahlias in front of the towering mass can alleviate this.
Varieties of the plant include singles or doubles.The
blossoms can be from 2 to 5 inches across, and come in colors ranging from
white to almost black.The rainbow
available includes shades of red, pink, yellow and purple.Blooming
period can run from June to September and the plants can remain vibrant
throughout that time.The leaves
are large, heart shaped and course and add to the beauty of the plant.
These plants encounter
few problems if grown in well-drained soil and full sun.Standing
water or wet winters may kill the plant, but they tend to be very drought
tolerant.This would be a great addition
to any border, along a fence, and are useful in reforming and unsightly
area into one of beauty.
Plant Information:
·Hollyhock
·Zone:
1-11
·Plant
type: Biennial
·Uses:
Borders
·Light:
Full Sun
·
Blooms:
Summer
·Width:
1-3ft.; Height: 3-6ft.
·Soil: Neutral, Well Drained
Sources:
www.pallensmith.com/features/garden