Hollyhock

They appear to be perennials as they do come back year after year but they are actually biennials which self-seed prolifically. Being a biennial means that it is often best to start new Hollyhocks in August or September so that they will then bloom the following summer.

Do hollyhocks like full sun or shade?

Hollyhocks are not fussy and survive in many spots but do best in soil that has been amended with compost. They do not like dry soil. With adequate moisture and good drainage, hollyhocks can thrive in full sun or partial shade.

Is hollyhock poisonous to humans?

Hollyhock plants are not poisonous, but the plant can cause skin irritation. This plant produces a resin that can cause dermatitis if touched. Contact with Hollyhocks can cause rashes in humans and animals.

Do hollyhocks spread?

As hollyhocks will spread when new seed is dropped, you might consider allowing three to four feet of space in the garden, so the area can fill out within a few years. Keep new plantings well-watered to help get them established.

Should I cut back hollyhocks in the fall?

Hollyhocks only grow and bloom during the spring and summer. The stalk can be trimmed after the flowers fade, which may encourage another round of blooms later in the growing season. The plant will naturally die back in the fall and winter. Cut back the stalk to just a few inches above the ground in the fall.

How do you winterize hollyhocks?

Hollyhocks are low maintenance during the spring and summer and become no maintenance during the winter. This plant is an herbaceous perennial, and all of the growth dies back, so no winter care is necessary. Cut back the stalk in the fall after the last flowers fade, and wait for new growth to appear in the spring.

Is hollyhock toxic to dogs?

Hollyhocks. These flowers are also non-poisonous to dogs or cats, but you need to be careful about the stems and leaves as they may have resin or fiber which may cause some skin allergies.

How many years do hollyhocks last?

A classic cottage garden staple, hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) bloom mid-summer with numerous flowers on tall spikes. Many of the most common varieties are biennials, meaning they complete their lifecycle over 2 years.

What animals do hollyhocks attract?

Hollyhocks attract birds, butterflies and bees. They are biennials, which means that they grow leaves during their first year and bloom the second year before going to seed and dying.

Where is the best place to plant hollyhocks?

Where to plant. Hollyhocks will grow in any garden soil, but prefer fertile, well-drained soil, in full sun, to produce the tallest flower spikes. Choose a position that is sheltered from strong winds, else they tend to blow over.

Should you deadhead hollyhocks?

Deadheading hollyhock plants isn't necessary, but it is a good idea. It can help keep the blooms going longer throughout the season and also keeps your plants looking nicer and tidier. Think of deadheading this plant as a way of pruning to coax it into producing flowers right up to the fall and even the first frost.

Do deer eat hollyhocks?

The plants may seed themselves and will take two summers to mature enough to flower. Hollyhock is relatively deer resistant.

What month do hollyhocks flower?

Each stem bears masses of open, bee-friendly flowers measuring up to 10cm in diameter, from July to September. Hollyhocks are biennial or short-lived perennials.

Can you dig up and replant hollyhocks?

If you find that a hollyhock has self-sown in an undesirable location, you can transplant volunteer seedlings after they have developed their true leaves but before the taproots grow significantly. Transplanting established hollyhocks in fall is best, if you need to move them to a new location.

Is it better to plant hollyhock seeds in the fall or the spring?

Planting Hollyhock Seeds Indoors For indoor sowing of seeds in springtime, late winter or early spring is the best time, while mid to late summer is preferable for fall planting.

What perennials should not be cut back in the fall?

There is no need to cut back hardy geraniums, heucheras, hellebores, dianthus and moss phlox. Tidy them in the spring as needed.

Will hollyhock survive a frost?

can hollyhocks survive frost? Hollyhocks are fully hardy and won't need protection over winter.

Why do my hollyhocks keep dying?

Hollyhock rust is a fungal disease of the aerial parts of the plant, caused by Puccinia malvacearum. It is spread by airborne spores. The disease will invariably develop on untreated hollyhocks, although it is worse during wet summer weather. Leaves, stems and calyces (outer parts of the flower) can all be attacked.

What animal eats hollyhock leaves?

The hollyhock weevil eats small irregular holes in the leaves while Japanese beetles can riddle the leaves with holes eventually skeletonizing them. Knock these pests into a bucket of soapy water to reduce their population and feeding damage. Caterpillars and sawflies can also eat irregular shaped holes in the leaves.

Do hollyhocks attract bugs?

Unfortunately, along with attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, hollyhocks lure insect pests, especially the hollyhock weevil.