are hollyhocks weeds

I'm sure you are well aware of this plant. A: Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are short-lived perennials. ... Be sure not to weed these out — the adult plants will bloom in the second year and, if you are lucky, last another year.

Are hollyhocks invasive?

Hollyhock mallow is recommended for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10. Although it is not considered invasive, other Malva species can become weedy and potentially invasive in some areas, so be certain you are purchasing plants or seeds for the desired species.

Do hollyhocks come back year after year?

Hollyhocks are relatives of the Hibiscus and grow best in garden zones 4 through 8. They appear to be perennials as they do come back year after year but they are actually biennials which self-seed prolifically. ... When you plant the seed do not cover it with soil.

How many years do hollyhocks last?

First of all, hollyhocks are a short lived perennial. This means that most varieties will only live two to three years. Their lifespan can be extended some by removing growing hollyhock flowers as soon as they fade.

Will hollyhocks spread?

Growing Hollyhock Flowers

Hollyhocks like fertile soil with regular moisture though once established they are drought tolerant. ... Once you get Hollyhocks established you will have them forever. You will have to be sure and dead head them to prevent getting too many, they spread easily but that is all part of gardening.

Do hollyhocks multiply?

Hollyhocks normally grow as biennials or possibly short lived perennials and thus are traditionally allowed to self sow in order to replenish their patch.

How do you winterize hollyhocks?

Prune the leaves and stems back to 6 inches (15 cm.) from the ground in fall. The hollyhocks then need a layer of organic material over the root zone to protect them from freezing. Use straw, compost, leaf litter or mulch.

Should I 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. ... Hollyhock is a biennial in most growing zones, but if you let the seed pods develop and drop, they will regrow from year to year.

What do I do with hollyhocks after flowering?

Hollyhocks need very little care. Stake flowering plants and water in dry weather. After flowering. cut the flower spike off once the seeds have dispersed.

What do hollyhocks symbolize?

Hollyhocks are symbolic of the cycle of life, and so you find them i funeral practices of the ancients, as well as fertility. You're hard pressed to find a malevolent use for the plant. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the pollen which drips onto the petals, spreading fertility to the witch's garden.

Do hollyhocks like 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.

How deep do Hollyhock roots go?

The hole should be wider than the roots and deep enough to encourage the long taproot of bare root hollyhock plants to easily grow downward. When planting, the taproot should point downward. Don't plant too deeply though, just a couple inches (5 cm.) below the soil.

Where is the best place to plant hollyhocks?

Where to plant: Plant in a well-draining area with full sun to partial shade. Due to their height, protect from damaging winds and provide support such as a fence, wall, trellis or stake. Hollyhocks will readily self-seed if left to their own devices, so locate them in an area where this won't be a nuisance.

When should I plant hollyhocks?

When to plant

Pot grown hollyhocks are best planted in spring or autumn, but can be planted at any time, spacing them 60cm (24in) apart.

Do hollyhocks self seed?

Hollyhocks self-sow, so once you have introduced them they should spring up of their own volition, but they will creep to the sunny, open front of the bed. ... Dig up self-sown seedlings and pot them into a 3in pot.

How often do hollyhocks bloom?

Hollyhock, Alcea rosea, is a summer blooming biennial that has an upright habit with thick sturdy stems. They are winter hardy to zone 3. Zones 3 to 8 begin blooming mid to late summer. In zones 9 to 10, young plants are set out in fall and bloom early spring through summer.

When should hollyhocks be pruned?

Cutting the flower stems down by half when they are 18 inches tall and again before they bloom -- when tall varieties are 3 feet tall -- produces stockier flower stems. At 3 to 4 feet tall they are better able to stay upright, and this produces a fuller plant and delays flowering by several weeks.

What goes well with hollyhocks?

Choose flowers that match the hollyhock colors to create a harmonious color scheme.

Orange Flowers. Orange-colored flowers go well with apricot- or salmon-colored hollyhock blooms. ...
Pink Blossoms. ...
Purple Perennials. ...
Red Blooms. ...
White Flowers. ...
Yellow Blossoms.

How tall do hollyhocks get?

Blooms start near the base of the stem and move upward so that 1-1/2 to 2 feet of each stem is covered with bloom throughout the season. HOLLYHOCK FOLIAGE: Hairy leaves, 6-8" across, borne in low clumps. Hollyhock plants grow up to 6 feet in height.

How do you propagate hollyhocks?

Hollyhocks can be propagated by division as well as by seed. In winter, spring, or fall (when the hollyhocks are not blooming), loosen the ground around established plants. Then gently pull stalks out of the ground—retaining their long roots—and place them in a bucket of water.

Do hollyhocks bloom more than once?

Hollyhocks are short-lived flowers. ... Although pruning is not required for healthy plants, cutting back the stalks after they flower can encourage them to bloom more than once in a season, advises the University of California Master Gardeners of Napa County.

How do you keep hollyhocks from rusting?

When you first notice rust spots, pick off the leaves and either burn them or seal them in a plastic bag and discard them. Keep the soil around the plants free of debris, and keep the garden weed free. Spread a thick layer of mulch under the plants to prevent last year's spores from re-emerging.