when should i plant hollyhock seeds

Question: What is the best time to plant hollyhock seeds? Answer: Hollyhock seeds can be sown outdoors in either pots or in seedbeds in late summer. In the fall, before the ground freezes, or in the spring after the ground has thawed, move the plants to a permanent location in the garden.

What month do you plant hollyhock seeds?

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.

Are hollyhocks easy to grow from seed?

Hollyhocks are best, and easiest, grown from seed and they will readily self-seed if flower stalks are left in place.

Is it too late to plant hollyhock seeds?

You can plant hollyhocks from seed now, in the late summer, and you may get blooms next summer. Or wait until late winter or early spring and start transplants indoors. Or, you can plant them outside from seed later next spring. If you wait to plant until next year, you'll most likely have to wait a year for blooms.

How long do hollyhocks take to grow from seed?

Sow hollyhock seeds in a cold frame or protected seedbed in the early summer. In rows 6 inches apart, just press seeds into the soil. Keep moist and protect from the sun. Seedlings emerge in 12-21 days.

Should I soak hollyhock seeds?

Try soaking the seeds overnight before you plant them. This loosens the outer layer of the seed and allows for better germination. When you plant the seed do not cover it with soil. It needs light to germinate so it is better to put the seed on the ground or growing medium and then press it lightly into the soil.

Can hollyhocks be grown in pots?

Hollyhocks do best in a south- or west-facing position in moist but well-drained soil. Chalky, sandy or loamy soils are ideal. Plant them at the back of a border as they can reach heights of 2m or more. Hollyhocks aren't suitable for growing in pots.

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.

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 do you get hollyhocks to bloom in the first year?

To force biennial hollyhocks to flower the first year, treat them with gibberellic acid, a flower inducer that takes the place of a cold period. Planting them in fall may also induce hollyhocks to bloom the first year.

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.

Do birds eat hollyhock seeds?

Hollyhocks attract birds, butterflies and bees. They are biennials, which means that they grow leaves during their first year and bloom the second year before going to seed and dying.

Do you 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.

How do you keep hollyhocks healthy?

Tips for Maintaining Your Hollyhocks

Plant Hollyhocks in a Suitable Location. Hollyhock's relish full sunlight with balanced soil that drains efficiently. ...
Water Hollyhocks Regularly. ...
Fertilizer Use. ...
Companion Planting. ...
Remove Spent Blossoms. ...
Prune Your Hollyhocks. ...
Winterizing Your Hollyhocks.

Do hollyhocks transplant well?

The hollyhock is a garden plant famous for its beautiful, vividly-colored, ruffly flowers. ... They take a bit longer when they're planted outdoors. The seedlings shouldn't be transplanted until they have at least four leaves and not until the air temperature outside is at least 50 degrees F.

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.

How do you save hollyhock seeds?

Quick Guide to Collecting and Storing Hollyhock Seeds

Store hollyhock seeds in a sealable container in the refrigerator or freezer to promote viability. ...
They're soft and fuzzy. ...
As hollyhock flowers die, they devolve into brown seedpods. ...
Hollyhock seeds are large and flat. ...
Pull open dried seed pods to release the hollyhock seeds.

What kind of soil do hollyhocks like?

SOIL: Hollyhock will do well in almost any soil but prefers a well-drained soil with pH 6.0 - 8.0, from slightly acid to alkaline.

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.

Are hollyhocks poisonous?

With their showy, colorful flowers, hollyhocks add a bit of Old World charm to your garden. Not only are they attractive, but they are also considered nontoxic to your dog if ingested, although they can cause mild dermatitis if touched.