On our Kansas farm, my father frequently experimented with various flowers in our farmyard, but I don’t recall he ever planted hollyhocks. Perhaps he viewed them as too common, often seen thriving near farmhouses throughout the state. Several times I have planted hollyhocks in my backyard, but they have never successfully established themselves. I suspect they were yearning for a more robust diet of sunlight.
I don’t know the source of the Alumni Garden’s hollyhock, located near the southwest gate. Early last summer I discovered the lone speciman. Most hollyhocks are biennials, and since this one didn’t bloom last summer, I was hoping it would reappear this spring. It returned, and by the third week in June its two six-foot bud towers had produced over a dozen large, gorgeous pink and white blooms. There should be enough buds to provide blossoms for much of the summer.
The hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is in the mallow family and closely related to the hibiscus, two of which were planted in the east end beds “G” and “H” last summer. The name “hollyhock” derives from a combination of the word “holy” and the Old English word “hoc” (a mallow). As with so many flowers in English and American gardens, the hollyhock is a Chinese native, initially imported into England over 400 years ago. They soon became a mainstay of American colonial gardens.
Earlier this spring I planted next to this year’s 6-foot giant a miniature hollyhock purchased via mail order and two hollyhocks I started from seed in my basement last January. All three give the impression they may not wait until next summer to start blooming.
I don’t know the source of the Alumni Garden’s hollyhock, located near the southwest gate. Early last summer I discovered the lone speciman. Most hollyhocks are biennials, and since this one didn’t bloom last summer, I was hoping it would reappear this spring. It returned, and by the third week in June its two six-foot bud towers had produced over a dozen large, gorgeous pink and white blooms. There should be enough buds to provide blossoms for much of the summer.
The hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is in the mallow family and closely related to the hibiscus, two of which were planted in the east end beds “G” and “H” last summer. The name “hollyhock” derives from a combination of the word “holy” and the Old English word “hoc” (a mallow). As with so many flowers in English and American gardens, the hollyhock is a Chinese native, initially imported into England over 400 years ago. They soon became a mainstay of American colonial gardens.
Earlier this spring I planted next to this year’s 6-foot giant a miniature hollyhock purchased via mail order and two hollyhocks I started from seed in my basement last January. All three give the impression they may not wait until next summer to start blooming.