It should not be missing in the classic cottage garden, but the tall-growing and colorfully blooming hollyhock also cuts a fine figure in any other garden. The mallow plant requires a little care, but it is not complicated.
How do I care for hollyhocks properly?
Hollyhocks prefer a sunny location, nutrient-rich and permeable soil, need to be watered regularly and fertilized twice a year. They are moderately hardy, bloom from July to September and are susceptible to mallow rust and snail infestation. Their lifespan can be extended by pruning.
Are there different types of hollyhocks?
In the genus of hollyhocks from the mallow family, around 60 different species are widespread in Europe and Asia. Some of them are used as ornamental plants in our gardens, especially the common hollyhock, Latin Alcea rosea. It is also known as hollyhock, garden hollyhock or farmer's rose. The black-red flowering Alcea rosea nigra is particularly decorative and grows up to 2.20 m tall.
Hollyhocks with double flowers are also very popular, including Alcea rosea pleniflora with its beautiful rose-red flowers. At around 1.70 m, the Alcea ficifolia is not quite as tall as other species, but it is available in different colors, such as yellow, pink or red.
How do I plant hollyhocks?
The hollyhock prefers to be in full sun, but it can also tolerate light shade, but less wind. Due to its tall growth, it easily tips over in windy conditions, so it should be supported or tied down if possible. A planting distance of around 40 cm from the neighboring plant is recommended so that the leaf rosette has enough space. The hollyhock gets along well with other plants from the cottage garden such as delphiniums, daisies or lupins.
Hollyhocks look particularly decorative in groups or on fences and walls. Then the plants support each other or can be easily attached to the fence. Plant the hollyhock in a permeable and nutrient-rich soil, which you can enrich with compost or well-rotted manure if necessary. To loosen it up, add a little coarse sand or gravel.
How do I care for hollyhocks?
Since hollyhocks have quite a high nutrient requirement, you should fertilize these plants regularly; twice a year, for example in spring and autumn, is sufficient if the soil is good. Organic fertilizers such as compost (€41.00 on Amazon), horn shavings or well-rotted manure are good alternatives and preferable to chemical fertilizers, not only in natural gardens.
Watering hollyhocks is also necessary relatively often. She is quite thirsty, but cannot tolerate waterlogging. In summer, during the flowering period, you should water these plants daily, especially if it remains dry for a long period of time. This is how you contribute to the he alth of your hollyhock.
Diseases and pests of hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are quite robust, but mallow rust often causes problems for them. You can prevent this by not planting the hollyhocks too densely, providing them with sufficient nutrients and giving them plenty of sun. When there is moisture, the rust fungus has an easy time of it. But snails also sometimes harm the hollyhock because they like to eat the young leaves.
Are hollyhocks hardy?
Hollyhocks are considered to be conditionally hardy. They can withstand temperatures down to around -8 °C or -10 °C well. At lower temperatures, you can give the plant winter protection using leaves or brushwood. The above-ground parts of the plant die in winter, they can be cut off in autumn.
After flowering or seed formation in the second year, the hollyhock usually dies. Overwintering in frost-free rooms is only recommended for young plants of sensitive varieties that will not bloom until next year or if you want to encourage old plants to bloom next year. Then you have to cut off the wilted flowers before seeds form.
The most important things about hollyhocks in brief:
- Location: as sunny as possible
- Soil: nutrient-rich and permeable
- moderately hardy
- Flowering time: around July to September
- fertilize twice a year
- water regularly
- susceptible to mallow rust
- likes to be eaten by snails
- usually biennial
- Lifespan can be extended by pruning before seeds form
Tip
Hollyhocks not only decorate cottage gardens, they also beautify house walls and walls. All you need is a small crack in the wall, which you can improve with some compost and regular watering.