Collecting Seed: Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Karen Hollyhocks are handsome plants that give the garden vertical movement and bring a touch of nostalgia. They are usually treated as biennials so that seeds are collected in summer and…
Growing Plants from Seed: Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
The tall spires of hollyhocks are always a welcome sight but especially in cottage gardens where they evoke a nostalgia for times past. Hollyhock is a native of China and…
Edible Flowers: Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
A native of southwestern China, this hollyhock is a member of the mallow family, Malvaceae, and related to hibiscus, cotton, okra, and cacao. It may be an annual, biennial, or…
Garden Journal: July 11 2010
And the heat goes….and on…and no rain. We had to increase the irrigation system to include the areas where hand watering was not sufficient. Most of the perennials struggle to…
Plant Profile: Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
There are few plants that create old-fashioned charm better than hollyhocks. I don’t have a wall or picket fence to set them off but they still bring the suggestion of…
Garden Journal: June 20, 2010
After torrential rains, the weather finally changed and heat and humidity came rolling in with the sun. Temperatures in the high 80’s are expected to lead to 90s in the…
Garden Journal: June 6, 2010
Many hot and sunny days have pushed the plants to grow and flower but some are looking floppier than in other years. This was a productive week of work as…
Garden Journal: June 21 2009
Ample rain, high humidity, and cloudy days with just a touch of sun now and then set the stage for this week’s garden. Many plants seem to thrive while others…
Garden Journal: June 14, 2009
Warm, humid, sunny days ending in thundershowers have given the garden good conditions for growing and thriving, especially the fungi. Some plants, like the spiderwort (Tradescantia) and yarrow (Achillea) have…