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Hollyhocks

SYinUSASYinUSA Posts: 243
in Plants
I planted some hollyhocks last year and they bloomed this year as expected. I cut back the stalks and leaves after bloom, and now it's sending up more leaves. 

1. Will the plant bloom again next year, or does existing rootstock need a full 2 years to rebloom like it would from seed?
2. The foliage never died back in last winter (mild winter and it's in a sheltered microclimate). If the foliage survives again this winter, should it be cut back at some point in the fall or spring? I struggled mightily with rust this year, and I wonder if having foliage all winter made it more susceptible. 

Thanks!
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Posts

  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Mine bloom every year, this is the third in a row I have buds now and hoping for flowers soon. 
    The rust is pretty bad but I plant them at the back of the border and put other plants in front and just enjoy those towering spike that the bees love. 
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    They normally get called a biannual but are really short lived perennials so will flower every year when they have reached flowering size. I don't cut mine down after flowering so haven't seen them reboot but I've read it's possible. I have deadheaded foxgloves which have a similar life cycle and you can get secondary flowering but with smaller spikes.

    Rust is just a thing with hollyhocks and all you can do is remove any leaves with symptoms as soon as you see them. I don't think you need to cut them down in the winter, just make sure there are no diseased leaves lying around the plant. 
  • SYinUSASYinUSA Posts: 243
    Good information, all. Thank you! I may need to find a replacement plant someday, but perhaps I'll get to enjoy the hollyhocks - rust and all - for another year or two.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I seem to recall a recent thread that said if you have a real rust problem with Hollyhocks it is best not to grow them in the same soil for a couple of years? 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • SYinUSASYinUSA Posts: 243
    @GardenerSuze Yes, I have heard the same. I had not planned on sowing any additional seeds because of this. I had assumed that it was a true biennial, now done and growing in the great garden in the sky. The new leaves popping up now took me by surprise, but I'll leave them to get on with their thing, whatever that may be. I had no expectations for a second flower spike this year, but from what @thevictorian said, maybe my long growing season will allow one!
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @SYinUSA I am retired from gardening but I am growing Hollyhocks this year for the first time. I have always been put off by the rust problem. My plants are not in flower yet but there are lots of buds. I have chosen Alcea Rosea Nigra as a contrast for the more brighter colours in the border.
     Last week I visited Clumber Park near Nottingham, there is a wonderful walled kitchen garden. The lovely old red brick walls are perfect for setting off the Hollyhocks in Lemon, White, Peach and of course Nigra. They were over 8 feet judging by the wall height. Beautiful!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited July 2022
    It was great to see towering hollyhocks all over the Norfolk coast in a wide array of shades - peaches and lemons and nigra. Really striking.

    I cut mine back last year after fllowering and it seems to have come right back this year, to my surprise. They only get to about six ft in the rich soil, but it's a joy to have them.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Fire I love all the colours so difficult to choose a favourite. I planted mine in early spring, it is also about 6 feet in my clay soil. All these years and I have never grown them. Guess that's the fun of gardening something new. Not sure I would plant the doubles would rather give the bees and other insects a chance.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited July 2022
    I'm new to them too. I used to dislike the leaves but I love the singles now. Such good value and impact for a small garden. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Fire ditto
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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