Hollyhocks in Bloom by Vicky Barney

Once again I am stunned by a flowering plant in my yard, a nonnative variety I inherited from a previous homeowner. It went unnoticed until today, when I watched a hummingbird flit from flower to flower in search of sweet nectar.   Wow, my red blooming hollyhocks are gorgeous. The Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is part of the Mallow family, which includes a variety of plants - hibiscus, cotton, and even the cocoa tree.   Like Sweet William, it is a cottage garden favorite that is short lived but readily reseeds. It grows up to 8 feet tall, with single or double flowers in a spike and large leaves at the base.    It flowers in a wide range of colors, grows in all kinds of soil, and tolerates partial shade. Traditional gardeners find the hollyhock to be high maintenance as the leaves at the base die early, creating a shabby or leggy look unless hidden by flowers planted in front.   It is susceptible to disease and pests, and may also require staking to keep the tall stalks upright.   Hollyhock