Hollyhocks

[emx384]

My aunt gave me some Hollyhock seeds from her garden a few years ago. I planted them in my garden and nothing happened - last year however, I noticed a few leaves similar to the Hollyhock had sprouted and then again this year they are back but slightly bigger- is this normal and will they eventually become flowering Hollyhocks?

[Thunderbird+]

Hi emx, Yes it seems quite normal, it's possible that the season was'nt long enough for the plants to fully develope last year from seed and hopefully this year they may well produce flowers.
Watch out for rust and be prepared to stake them if your garden is a windy site. Good Luck. Tbird+

[emx384]

Thanks for that! Have no idea what rust is but will look out for it anyhow!!

[Thunderbird+]

Sorry emx, 'Rust' is a common fungal desease that sometimes attacks Hollyhocks and some other plants and causes rust like spots on the leaves etc, if treated early it can be controlled with a garden fungicide.

[Plocket]

Hollyhocks can take a couple of years to flower Emx but hopefully yours are now getting going and you might even get flowers this year. They will be happier if they are in a sunny spot too btw.