Q&A for How to Grow Hollyhocks

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  • Question
    Do hollyhocks bloom all year?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    No, they don't. Hollyhocks will bloom once per year in the summer for several weeks.
  • Question
    Do hollyhocks like sun or shade?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Hollyhocks need full sun to grow. About 6-8 hours of sun per day is best for this plant.
  • Question
    Are hollyhocks an annual or a perennial?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Hollyhocks are a short-lived perennial. They generally won't flower the first year after planting, and then usually live 2-3 years.
  • Question
    When should you plant hollyhock seeds?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    It depends on your region and climate. Typically, plan to sow seeds outside about 1 week before the last frost.
  • Question
    What should I do if my hollyhocks have some of the bottom leaves turning yellow?
    Shea Ricci
    Community Answer
    Trim yellowing or dead leaves off your hollyhocks. If you space your hollyhocks well, it helps decrease the incidence of rust.
  • Question
    Is the yellow stuff growing on the leaves "rust"?
    Community Answer
    Yes, hollyhocks are very prone to rust. Strip off any leaves showing rust and destroy them. It's best to plant them at the back of borders where unsightly leaves will be hidden. Cornmeal scattered around the base of the plant may help with this problem.
  • Question
    I found some old hollyhock seeds in my garage. Will they still grow after they've been in storage for a year or two?
    Community Answer
    If kept dry and cold, hollyhock seeds can definitely last two or three years, and sometimes as many as six (with a much lower germination rate). If you see any weevils or mold, the seeds are not viable. Throw them in the trash in a sealed container to avoid contaminating your garden.
  • Question
    When and how do you plant bare root hollyhocks?
    Community Answer
    Plant the bare root hollyhock in early spring, preferably as soon as you receive it. Hold the plant in a wide hole with the taproot pointing downward, and gently spread out the other roots. Fill the hole with soil to just below the crown, where the roots and stem meet. Tamp the soil down with your hand, then water in thoroughly. (Note to other readers: most common hollyhock varieties are biennial, and not available as bare root plants.)
  • Question
    Can I dig up a hollyhock and replant somewhere else?
    Community Answer
    Once a hollyhock has grown its taproot, it is very difficult to transplant without harm. If the plant has been around long enough to seed, check the base of the plant for seedlings and transplant them instead. Either way, late fall is the best time to transplant, followed by early spring.
  • Question
    What do I do if my hollyhocks leaves are being eaten?
    Community Answer
    Go outside at night with a torch and find out what is eating your plants. If it's spider mites or aphids, make a solution of water, dishwashing liquid, oil and cayenne pepper, and spray it on the plants. If it's weevils or snails, remove every last bug and kill them in any way you're comfortable with.
  • Question
    Can these plants be grown in a plant pot?
    Community Answer
    You would need giant pots. The plant needs space and due to its height, it would knock the pot over.
  • Question
    I planted hollyhocks last year, and the leaves look green and healthy. When can I expect them to bloom?
    Joanne Cook
    Community Answer
    They might be a biennial, blooming next year.
  • Question
    Why are the hollyhock buds falling off just as they are ready to bloom?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes the bud is too heavy for the plant, so it will fall off. Being in a windy area can contribute to this.
  • Question
    Do I trim the plant after it blooms?
    Imapoetninoit
    Community Answer
    Only if it needs trimming.
  • Question
    How do I protect my hollyhocks from deer?
    Shea Ricci
    Community Answer
    The best solution is to fence your yard but you need the right kind of fence. I have found that fences that give the appearance of being both high and wide are best. This means knowing your local codes. Where I live the maximum solid privacy fence is 5'. The town will give you a variance to put open fencing above it and will also give a variance to build any trellis either at the top of your fence or inside it. Growing vines on top gives the impression of extra width.
  • Question
    Do I trim lower leaves to make them grow taller?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    How tall do hollyhocks grow?
    Community Answer
    The average height of a hollyhock is 8 or 9 feet. The world record height for a hollyhock is 28 feet.
  • Question
    What is the best climate for hollyhocks?
    Community Answer
    Heat averaging 70-110 degrees with low humidity.
  • Question
    Do hollyhocks grow pods that look like okra?
    Community Answer
    Yes, those pods are the flowers prior to blooming.
  • Question
    How do I know if I need to transfer my hollyhock to a larger pot?
    Community Answer
    I transfer to a bigger pot when my plant seems to be root bound. If all the water (when watering) comes out the drainage holes very quickly, the roots are in need of more soil and it is time to re-pot.
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