Hollyhock

Beverly Brown 2001

The Hollyhock is a summer flowering biennial that is native to the China (7). Depending on the cultivar, hollyhocks grow from two to nine feet tall. The leaves are orbicular, with three, five or seven lobes (7). The leaf arrangement is alternate (7). The flowers vary in color from white through shades of yellow, pink, peach, red, wine and lavender to mid-night purple and almost black (2,5,7,).The flowers are located on a long indeterminate raceme (7). Newer varieties have fringed, ruffled or doubled flowers (7). Hollyhocks are considered long-blooming (June to late August), with the flowers at the bottom of the raceme blooming first (7). The seeds are small (3-4mm), round and appear fringed at the edge (see photograph). The seeds germinate in 10 to 14 days at 70°F or 21°C (3). Hollyhocks develop deep taproots (3).

Geographic Location

Hollyhocks grows as a biennial in growing zone  3-8 if the seeds are planted early in the summer.  It is  grown as an annual if the seeds are planted early in the spring. In some growing zones (to zone 5) it is considered a perennial (7).

The native habitat of Hollyhocks is China. The plants were cultivated by Chinese gardeners to symbolize the passing of time (15). Chinese peasants revered the cooked leaves as spring greens and the buds as a delicacy (17). The crusaders brought the plants via the Mediterranian to Europe in the15th. century and John Withrop Jr. brought the plants to America in 1630 (15).

Optimal Growing Conditions

Soil

Hollyhocks grow best in medium-fertile, moist, but well-drained soil (7, 15); they also do well in Clay soil (1).

Seeds and Planting

Biennials take two seasons to complete their life cycle (1). When hollyhocks are grown as biennials the seeds should be planted outside or in a cold frame in June or July. The young plants should be transplanted to their permanent location when small,  because a large tap root makes the transplanting of older seedlings difficult (3).  The plants will be sturdy enough to survive the winter and will bloom the following year (1).

If hollyhocks are grown as annuals the seeds can be started inside in February using all-purpose seed starting mix (2, 8). The seeds will germinate in about two weeks if the  temperature is kept at about 70°F (3). Germination is more reliable if the seed pots are covered to retain heat and moisture. The seedlings can be transplanted outside in May after a period of hardening off (2,8). The seeds can be also be sown directly in the seedbed as soon as the ground can be worked (10).

Hollyhocks will grow as perennials if the flower heads are removed  and the plant is cut back to the basal leaves after blooming (4). The new growth may survive snow and a mild winter (4). In the spring  any frost-damaged foliage should be removed, and the plant can be pruned repeatedly before blooming if later blossoms are desired (4). If hollyhocks are not cut back in the fall they will vigorously self-seed (3).

Location

Hollyhocks require full sun for most of the day (1).

Flowering

Plants that are started indoors and transplanted outside in May flower in the early summer, as do plants that self-seeded or were planted from seed the year before (1). Flowers for bouquets should be cut before all the buds are open.

Care of the Plant

From June on, all yellowing and insect-damaged leaves should be regularly removed along with old stems (4). Hollyhocks are susceptible to damaging insects and diseases and are considered "high-maintenance" among gardeners. The taller varieties need to be staked unless the plant is frequently pruned to keep the height low(4).

Diseases and Insects

Hollyhocks are  susceptible to hollyhock rust (Puccinia malvacearum) and other plant health problems, such as leaf spots, Japanese beetles, painted lady, potatoe leaf hoppers and others. Insects can be controlled by knowing how to attract predator insects and how to trap insects or prevent plant damage by putting up insect barriers.

More on Propagation

When seeds are saved for replanting they should not be from a hybrid parent plant (8). Seedlings grown from a hybrid parent plants seldom look the same than the parent does (8).  One advantage of seed saving is reduced cost. Another advantage is that seeds from your garden plants can be better adapted to local growing conditions (8).

When plants grow "out of fashion" and are not propagated and distributed commercially, home-saved seeds can be passed on from generation to generation (8).

Economic Importance

Hollyhocks are important and showy garden plants. Cultivars have been developed since the 18th century (15). Thomas Jefferson cultivated Alcea rosea var. nigra, a dark purple variety that was brought to America in 1735, and the cultivar Charter's double is a hybrid bred in England in the 1800's (15).

Ethnobotanical and Cultural Information

In our Western culture the Garden of Eden is the archetype of the peaceful, healing garden (9). In the early monasteries the small, enclosed garden was considered part of spiritual achievement of the monks (9). During and after the crusades European gardeners melded eastern and western gardening styles, and the gardens became more expansive and a means of healing the spirit (9). With the advent of scientific reasoning scientists started to separate from nature and plants as a healing entities, and the use of healing plant declined (9).

Medicinal use then and now

Then: Hollyhock leaves were used in the 18th century as a gargle for enlarged tonsils, inflamed gums, loose teeth and mouth sores (6). It was taken internally for diarrhea, urinary incontinence, to kill worms in children and to heal inflamed mucus membranes (6). The leaves and the roots were boiled and used to ease delivery and to increase milk production in nursing mothers (6). The same concoction soothed the pain of gonorrhea and was used as an antidote to poisons (6). The crushed leaves took away the itchiness of insect bites and relieved the discomfort of scalds and burns (6). Native Americans made a poultice out of the leafs to heal diseases (6).

Now: Today hollyhock has no mainstream medicinal value. It is used by herbalists as a cure for colds and sore throats (6).

(Disclaimer: The Author Jeanne Rose notes that this plant is toxic if used in large quantities or over a long time period ).

Cultural Use

Christopher Lloyd characterizes the English Cottage garden as a "tidy mess" (5,  p.6). Flowers and foliage  ramble and spill everywhere within the confines of the garden fence. The Cottage garden evolved from the subsistence peasant  cottager of the Middle Ages (5). Flowers and herbs were mostly grown for their medicinal use, except for some, which were grown for delight; among them sweet williams and hollyhocks (5). In the 19th century the cottager became gentrified; and the cottage garden with its multitude of flowers and bold splashes of color provided a serene retreat for seekers of trendy simple living (5).

Today hollyhocks are a prized English Cottage garden plant. Because of their height they are planted in the back-ground against walls or frequently next to entrance ways or doors (5). There, Christopher Lloyd writes, they "look like sentries" on guard (5, p.25).

Fascinating Facts and Things

Facts:

The word Alcea comes from the word altheo - to cure (7), or from the Greek word alkaia - mallow (17).

The name hollyhock could be derived from holy and hoc (mallow) - holy  mallow, because the Crusaders brought it to England.

Hollyhocks were the subject of a poem in the 15th century (17) and have been growing next to crumbling walls and doors ever since (17).

After introduction to America in the 17th century, hollyhocks spread so quickly they were called alley orchids (17).

The occult meaning of hollyhocks: fertility and ambition (6).

Plant remains found in the grave of a Neanderthal man included hollyhocks (17).

Things:

How to make a hollyhock doll

Interesting sites:

Cornell Department of Horticulture

Cornell Plant Diagnostic Clinic

Gardening Resources

Cornell Ecogardening Fact Sheets

A Gardener's Calendar for Pest and Nutrient Management

Plant Diagnostic Web Site

References

(1) Abraham, D. & K. (1999). The Green Thumb Garden Handbook. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

(2) Brickell, C., McDonald, E. & Cole T. (1993). The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening. New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc.

( 3) Bubel N. The New Seed-Starters Handbook (1988). Emmaus PA: Rodale Press.

(4 ) DiSabato-Aust T. (1998). The Well-Tended Perennial Garden. Portland OR: Timber Press.

(5) Lloyd, C. (1990). The Cottage Garden.

(6 ) Rose, J. (1972). Herbs & Things. Jeanne Rose's Herbal. New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap

(7) Still, S. (1994) Manual of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants. Champaign, Ill: Stipes Publishing.

( 8) Toogood A. (1999). Plant Propagation. New York, NY: DK Publishing Inc.

( 9) Weiss, G & Weiss, S. (1985). Growing and using Healing Herbs. Emmaus PA: Rodale Press.

Internet References

(10) http://www.botany.com/alcea.html.

(11) http://www.perth.igs.net/~elphinseer/hollyhocksbig.html

(12) http://www.perth.igs.net/~elphinseer/hollyhocknobloom.html

(13) http://www.abs.sdstate.edu/hort/images/hollyhock%20rust%20leaf.jpg

(14) http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/pathogens/bacillus_popilliae.htm

(15) http://www.heritageflowerfarm.com/catalog.html

(16) http://www.almanac.com/garden/01.earlyspring/hollyhockdoll.html

(17) http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/mclean/news/9912_garden.html

Created by:  brigit moyer, 2001

Red Hollyhock

Beverly Brown 2001

Hollyhock seeds

brigit moyer © 2001

Hollyhock blooms (10)

Hollyhock leaves

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Japanese beetle

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hollyhock rust

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Hollyhock doll

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