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Gladiolus or Hollyhock
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Plants
I have grown lovely red and white hollyhocks outside our front door for the past three years. They return each year without any effort on my part. This year I am thinking of removing them and planting what I think is a new gladioli called Omsk which is red and looks stunning in the pictures. Question is - do they attract wildlife? Are they tricky to grow and will they return the following year
? I already have stakes inserted in the soil from tying up the hollyhocks, so I am sure the gladioli will be secure, but perhaps not as interesting as the hollyhocks in statue.
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As the gladioli flower quite a lot later than the hollyhocks, i think you could get away with both. Plant the gladioli bulbs deep and they should flower the following year. Too shallow and they make a lot of small bulbs. When the hollyhock finishes flowering, cut it down to showcase the gladioli flowers.
That sounds like a plan fidgetbones - I could have the best of both worlds after all!
Do the glads attract bees or birds though - I don't think so. Please say yes!
I get hoverflies on the gladioli
I'm trying to bring Hollyhocks on starting from seed.It's my first time and the the seedlings look really leggy.Am I wasting my time? Like you I'm wondering if Glads would be easier,or maybe just get Hollyhocks from a garden centre? I'm aiming for a cottage garden look,against a dry stone wall.
I have found hollyhocks easy to germinate and usually end up with far too many. I don't know the conditions that your seedlings are growing in carolekratzke, but if in u.k. I would suggest sowing late February in seed trays in a cold frame or greenhouse with a good seed based compost. Water as necessary - mist on sunny days and with plenty of light and sunshine too.
Hollyhocks would look good against a dry stone wall - they may need tying for extra support depending how windy your area is. They can grow 8 - 10 foot tall depending on variety - so check your seed packet for more information. Hollyhocks are great feature plants and easy to grow from seed - buying them from a garden centre could be costly.
Thank you GD2 I think I'll start again in Feb with the Hollyhocks.
Look out for the cottage garden baskets that Aldi sell for £3.99, they're fab and filled my garden with colour last year
I am sure that they are fab but hollyhocks in baskets - I don't think so.
Yes carolekratzke do try again, I am sure it will be worth waiting a little longer before starting to sow seed again. Just wait until the weather is better - a little warmer and perhaps a bit sunnier too. I have had tobe really strict with myself as so often in past years I have sown seeds too early and there really isn't enough light and warmth for them to germinate or if they do germinate they become leggy before the outdoor conditions are good enough to transplant the seedlings outside.
Let us know how you get on with your hollyhocks later in the year.
They are bulbs/corms/tubers packaged in a plastic basket for planting out you donkey!
I obviously misunderstood your post Samantha55 - I wish we had an Aldi here - we have very little choice and being able to buy everything you need for just £3.99 sounds too good to be true.