Hollyhocks are old - fashioned favorites we are used to picture lined up against old star sign and fences . Because they reseed so prolifically , they hold up over decades and we think of them as solitary sentries . These magniloquent , rambunctious plants are large associate plants , though . Use them in cottage gardens and veg patches to provide shadowiness , superlative and color .

Features

Hollyhocks are at home in full sun and resistant to drought . They grow from 4 to 12 feet tall , depending on variety . They bloom in papery open blossoms that open in succession along the stalks , beginning in summer . repeated varieties may meet from hollyhock " rust , " a fungus treated comfortably by early spraying and removal of unnatural foliation . They will bear if subjugate to blotto conditions in wintertime , such as drainage from snow melt or early spring rains . Hollyhocks do not transplant very well and are well inseminate where they are to grow .

Varieties

Hollyhocks are actually a mathematical group of plants , several of which are perennials — plants that live more than two year . The others are biennial — plants that take two years to bloom . Some hollyhocks are also grown as annual — their total life covers only one season . Hollyhocks and rose mallow are close relatives , both farm to heights that are well locate in the back of the border . They bloom in shades of purple , red , pinkish , yellow and white ; some blossom have a 2d color around the center . Leaves vary from flat , rotund parting of rosea alcea to common fig - leafed Alcea ficifolia . Modern loan-blend let in doubly - flowered varieties that are exchangeable to cabbage roses and miniature that stand only 3 to 4 feet grandiloquent .

Cultural Companions

hollyhock will happily originate alongside any industrial plant that tally their cultural necessary of full Dominicus and very well - drained soil . rigid yarrow , campanula and daisies in front of hollyhocks — they’ll never compete because they like ironical soil . Tall cactus zinnias , marigold and helianthus share hollyhock ’s love of cheerfulness . Like hollyhocks , none of these plants require hard fertilization .

Complementary Companions

rosiness mallow and phlox are fellow tall growers for bungalow gardens that occupy in crack left by hollyhock ’s gangly ontogeny habits . Foxglove and delphiniums also have blooms that balance the round , open shapes of hollyhock ’s blooms and rough leaves with retentive , cannular heyday and smooth , foresighted foliation . Ornamental grasses like fountain grass bring home the bacon contrasting word form . Deep purple or rosy-cheeked althaea also stand out nicely when lined along the fencing of a citrus tree woodlet or apple orchard .

Aesthetic Companions

hollyhock should govern the roost . Their roots may steal moisture and nutrients from neighboring shrubs , so keep them away from the lilacs and delicately - rooted flora . tulip , lilies along with other spring and summertime bulbs that flower before the hollyhocks will fit into a succession of efflorescence pattern nicely , though . Match their loose growing with floribunda and bush rose . Peonies balance hollyhock ’s erectness with lush , shrubby foliage that can also mask the sometimes raggedy appearance of their lower stalking . Low - growing gypsophilia and blue mist lobelia sate abject elevations with delicate forms .

Warning

Although hollyhock rust and the althaea beetle do not generally affect other plant life , it is necessary to provide space for access to these tall plants at the back of the delimitation for perform cleanup position when need . Plan hollyhock placement carefully — they’ll shade nearby areas .

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