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Rust on Hollyhocks
Kay8
Posts: 216
Hi all 
I have grown Hollyhocks for a few years now and every single one always seems to end up affected by rust!
Any ideas on why? or what I can do about it?
I personally think they're absolutely gorgeous flowers, but the unsightly rust on the leaves really puts me off!!
Thanks, guys
0
Posts
Same here. I gave them up
In the sticks near Peterborough
Yes, if you live in an area where rust is a problem there isn't much you can do. I gave them up too.
Ahhh seems I may have to do the same then! Thanks you two :-)
Same here: if your Hollyhocks get rust, then it means they don't like your soil / climate / your garden /...
As a workaround you might try to grow an interesting new hybrid, Alcalthaea suffrutescens 'Parkallee', a curious cross between Alcea rosea (hollyhock) × Althaea officinalis (Common marshmallow). Haven't tried it myself.
I'm giving Hollyhock Antwerp a try this year grown from seed. They are supposed to be rust resiliant. In previous years I've had signs of rust on plants just 6" or so tall but so far so good. I'll let you know how I get on.
Does it affect growth? Brought a Negra & it's already developed rust - growth seems to have slowed down since I planted it out. Removed oranging leaves. Do I persevere or cut my ties now?
Last edited: 28 April 2017 15:13:37
Depends how bad it is. In my garden every leaf crinkles up the moment it emerged and the plant hardly grows at all - a waste of time. A mild case won't affect flowering and you can remove unsightly leaves.
Hmmmm the rust seems quite bad on mine this year. They're still at my parent's though, maybe they'll do better where I live now... (they're in large pots at the moment)!