Old-fashioned Hollyhocks.
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The first time I laid eyes on Hollyhocks (Althea rosea), they were three metres high, edging my mate’s back garden path. So impressive! Wasted, I thought, ever vigilant for a public display.
My pal was content though; positively smug. It was all for him, and don’t bother with the crowd going ape over 30cm high Petunias doing the same old thing.
It was all large maple-like leaves and pink flowers that could have been crazy Roses that forgot to branch out. A stunning display right here in central Dubbo enough to make a retired nurseryman kick a hole in a glasshouse white-washed window, from livid envy. You see, Hollyhocks are luxurious and elegant, just like the Ritz hotel in London.
All new ground for me. I’d like to try them at Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens, Sensory Garden. They grow for a couple of years and flower each summer, origin Asia. Yet I instantly associate them with old English gardens; the kind where they lean over brick yard walls, tuck pointed, with red sandstock bricks. They often featured in illustrations for classic children’s story books, like ‘Rupert’ and his adventures with Tigerlilly.
I couldn’t work out why Hollyhocks were not more popular. There are single and double varieties in colours of pink, red, yellow and white. Give protection from wind, plant in late summer to winter, preferably in groups, and feed well.
Then it hit me. While some are annual and flower that first year, many are perennial and don’t flower at all till the next year.
What a let-down! Imagine giving your Hollyhocks all they want from rich, well-composted soil, a post to lean on, and a wind-free site, all to result in a no-show garden until next year. Enough to tease a retired nurseryman into spading the whole lot into their own manured soil, and replacing them with pink and white Petunias.
But enough of the sour grapes. I’ll stick it out. I want the Hollyhocks. I’d love to give them a go. If I get perennials I’ll adopt some patience, or brew the sour grapes and drink to the health of our dear Hollyhocks.