Family-Malvaceae
Genus-Malva
Species-Alcea (al Kee uh)
For those that attended the Cherokee County Master Gardener’s 2008 Garden Tour, they may have admired the many colors of Hollyhock in the Stone and Haberle gardens. These flowers were the Alcea rosea. The hollyhock can be perennial, biennial or annual depending on growing zone. For our zone 8 area, they will return each year. Seeds sown in the fall will usually bloom the following late spring or early summer. Seeds may be sown directly in the soil. These are also excellent for Winter sowing containers. When planting seeds in containers, it is best to soak the seeds in warm water for about 24 hours. The winter sowing method will help protect from animals or other pest. This method also allows the transplants to be planted in the desired locations of our gardens. Established plants often reseed themselves. Small seedlings are easy to transplant. Pinching the growing tips may produce shorter branching plants with more blooms. These will grow to a height of 4 to 6 feet and should be spaced from 18 inches to 2 feet. The hollyhock comes in many pastel colors and from pale white to black. Blooms may be single or double depending on the variety. Hollyhocks require average watering needs but need good drainage. Rich soil is not required but as in most plants may produce nicer specimens. Mature plants may be two feet across and are herbaceous. Bees, butterflies and birds are attracted to these plants. In windy areas, it might be best to stake these tall growing plants. Rust can be a problem for these plants due to the high humidity of our area. Removing the infected leaves at the first sign of infection can help with this problem. There are chemicals that can be used for treatment. Hollyhocks are great for the cottage garden look. Thomas Jefferson grew these beauties in his gar
dens.
Also often grown in our area are plants known as French Hollyhock. This is the Malva sylvestis. These produce much smaller blooms with the most common color being a striped purple variety. These produce much smaller seeds that reseed freely. The small seedlings can easily be transplanted or removed.
Genus-Malva
Species-Alcea (al Kee uh)
For those that attended the Cherokee County Master Gardener’s 2008 Garden Tour, they may have admired the many colors of Hollyhock in the Stone and Haberle gardens. These flowers were the Alcea rosea. The hollyhock can be perennial, biennial or annual depending on growing zone. For our zone 8 area, they will return each year. Seeds sown in the fall will usually bloom the following late spring or early summer. Seeds may be sown directly in the soil. These are also excellent for Winter sowing containers. When planting seeds in containers, it is best to soak the seeds in warm water for about 24 hours. The winter sowing method will help protect from animals or other pest. This method also allows the transplants to be planted in the desired locations of our gardens. Established plants often reseed themselves. Small seedlings are easy to transplant. Pinching the growing tips may produce shorter branching plants with more blooms. These will grow to a height of 4 to 6 feet and should be spaced from 18 inches to 2 feet. The hollyhock comes in many pastel colors and from pale white to black. Blooms may be single or double depending on the variety. Hollyhocks require average watering needs but need good drainage. Rich soil is not required but as in most plants may produce nicer specimens. Mature plants may be two feet across and are herbaceous. Bees, butterflies and birds are attracted to these plants. In windy areas, it might be best to stake these tall growing plants. Rust can be a problem for these plants due to the high humidity of our area. Removing the infected leaves at the first sign of infection can help with this problem. There are chemicals that can be used for treatment. Hollyhocks are great for the cottage garden look. Thomas Jefferson grew these beauties in his gar
dens.Also often grown in our area are plants known as French Hollyhock. This is the Malva sylvestis. These produce much smaller blooms with the most common color being a striped purple variety. These produce much smaller seeds that reseed freely. The small seedlings can easily be transplanted or removed.
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