French Hollyhock

I haven’t done the French style hollyhocks before (which I think are more of a mallow, no?). I did a quick search and found someone in TX with some nice examples and seems to be very successful: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/msg051942387986.html

FWIW, I had a few seasons of old-fashioned hollyhocks with various colors, and they did moderately well until struck by rust. The next season all the blooms were black (or really dark red/purple) and this past season, I don’t think I got any blooms at all. I think I’ve got them in a too wet and shady spot. Everywhere I’ve seen any hollyhocks do really well, it’s out in full-full daylight and in very well-drained soil.

I think you’ll be fine, depending on soil and light with your Frenchies…please post a pic if you get some blooms!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Hi QueenBee! I have grown Hollyhock for years here in Michigan. They are drought tolerant, LOVE full sun and a well drained soil. Best if planted in clumps.

They bloom nicely all summer. However, mid-summer when the stalks get a bit spindlie (sp?), I will cut them back to half their height. (No real rhyme or reason to where you prune … they are like weeds, can’t really hurt them once established.) Late summer/early fall seems to be when they really thrive … stalks get “tree like” and plants are filled to overflowing with flowers.

Have not heard about them taking two years to bloom. Mine bloomed the first year … but maybe it is the type of heat you have … Gardening in the South/Southwest is so very different from us.

Pulled out one of my gardening books to see if anything was written about growing Holly’s in the South … it says, “In the South, Hollyhocks are best treated as biennials—planted in fall for bloom in the spring.”

Hope this helped … Hollyhocks are one of my favorite flowers … there are so many wonderful varieties now.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

You have given me such hope! Thanks for the photo Damocles. I will keep my fingers crossed. I have planted the hollyhocks with yellow columbine and shasta daisy, and hope that their blooms overlap each other a little bit.

Grandma T – thanks for the tip on cutting them back. I am hoping that they will grow well this far south, and won’t mind our alkaline soil.

-- -- Aleece, Central Texas

Sounds like they will be surrounded by some beautiful “company” ... I hope, too, that they will do well for you in the South. Keep us all posted !!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b