How to Grow Hollyhock Flowers

Hollyhock Flower

About Growing Hollyhocks in Your Home Flower Garden

Here is one of your Grandma’s favorite flowers! Grandma just loved growing Hollyhock plants. And, so will you. The plants lar a common sight in cottage gardens.  The plants are easy to grow and will flower the first year if started early indoors. However, more often they bloom the second year. You will love the profusion of stately Hollyhock flowers growing on tall plants as they display their showy double blooms. Additionally, Hollyhocks have medicinal uses.

Hollyhocks are natives of Asia. They have heart-shaped leaves and bloom from July to September in most areas. Tall Hollyhock flowers make great backgrounds, borders, or even fences.

Note: While most hollyhocks are perennials, there are some annual varieties.

Hollyhocks attract Hummingbirds.

Flowers Bloom: Summer. A few varieties will bloom well into Fall.

Flower Colors: Blooms in a wide range of colors including white, yellow, crimson, pink, rose, and red.

Plant Height: Varies. Some varieties grow 2′-3′, while others grow as high as 6 feet.

Perennials, Alcea Rosea Malvacae

Medicinal Uses of Hollyhock Plants

Hollyhock plants have many medicinal applications. They include:

Heal cuts wounds

Helps with blood circulation

Helps reduce fever

Improves appetite

Moisturizes skin

Relieves respiratory problems

Soothe sore throat

Treatment for burns

Treats digestive ailments

Treats Gastrointestinal ailments

Perennial Hollyhock Plant Propagation

Hollyhock plants are often started from seed. You can sow Hollyhock seeds 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. The final spacing should be 18-24″. Give them plenty of room to allow air circulation and minimize rust and other diseases.

Established Hollyhock 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.

Days to Germination: Varies, 7 – 25, depending upon variety.

Hollyhock Plant

How to Grow Hollyhock Flower Plants

Perennial 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.

Keep the plants well-weeded in the first few weeks of growth. Then, apply a thick layer of mulch to keep weeds down, and to help retain soil moisture.

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 really harsh.

Flowers Bloom: Summer. A few varieties will bloom well into Fall.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0.

Also, see:

Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

Insects and Plant Disease

Beetles can be a problem. They sometimes eat away at the leaves to the point where the leaves become unsightly. 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.

Hollyhock Plant

Plant Pests

Deer love hollyhock plants. (See deer damage in the picture above). They will come back night after night until there are no more leaves on the plant. 

Use deer repellents before they find your plants. Re-apply on a regular basis and after heavy rains. 

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