Hollyhocking

Pass by a yard where you see old-fashioned eight-foot high hollyhocks in bloom though, as I did recently, and you’ll want them as your own.

With their large 4-5” saucer shaped flowers in shades of yellow, red, purple, pink and white, these plants command attention.

One of the great characteristics of Hollyhocks is that they are drought resistant. In this time of climate warming and the wacky weather connected with it, drought resistance is a strong selling point. These plants do just fine in hot, sunny areas.

Although Hollyhocks are biennial and take two years to begin blooming they usually self-sow well enough to continue showing up.

The range of colour and bloom complexity has grown considerably over the years. One of the originals is Alcea rosea ‘Nigra’. Grown by Thomas Jefferson at Montecello, this cultivar has dark red, almost black, flowers. The leaves are prone to disease and may appear tattered by fall so plant this hollyhock at the back where foliage won’t be seen but the tall flowers will still be enjoyed.

An outstanding hollyhock with huge pom-pom blooms is Alcea rosea ‘Chater’s Double’.

There’s a dwarf Hollyhock as well - Alcea rosea ‘Marjorette Mix’ - that doesn’t require staking like its taller clan. This shorter hollyhock grows only two feet tall and will bloom the first year from seed if planted in the spring.

There won’t be too many gardeners that associate Hollyhocks with medicinal use but these flowers can supposedly be used as an emollient and laxative. They are recommended to control inflammation, stop bed-wetting and as a mouthwash in cases of bleeding gums.

Depicted in Chinese art as early as the 9th century, these flowers symbolize the passage of time. They have been grown in Europe for the past 500 years with seed imported from China.

Some believe the name Hollyhock was derived from the Crusaders, who carried seeds gathered in the Holy Land. These plants are hardy in zones two to 10, which mean they even survive in colder Northern climates.

As each flower finishes blooming, pinch it off to encourage repeat flowers. The tall, stately plants are especially suited to fences and walls and will attract hummingbirds. They look great with other cottage favourites like roses, bellflowers, and columbine.