Lexi Webster
Hollyhocks are a classic cottage garden plant with massive flower spikes that stand tall in the garden. They can be grown in Australia by planting the seeds in seedling trays and then transplanting them to a spot in the garden that receives full sun. Hollyhocks require rich, fertile soil, routine fertilization, and routine watering during the summer. They can be grown all year round in places like Perth, but their growth may slow down during the winter and in the heat of the summer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | Up to 8 feet tall (2 metres) |
| Sunlight | At least 6 hours per day |
| Soil pH | Not picky; can be acidic, neutral, or alkaline |
| Soil type | Rich, fertile, and well-drained; can tolerate clay, silt, or sand |
| Watering | Routine watering in summer; avoid wetting leaves |
| Fertilizer | Regular fertilization with a slow-release fertilizer |
| Transplanting | Difficult due to delicate taproot; transplant when seedlings are 5-10 cm tall |
| Spacing | 30-50 cm apart |
| Common pests | Snails, slugs, aphids, scale, caterpillars |
| Self-seeding | Yes |
| Lifespan | 2-5 years |
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What You'll Learn
Soil preparation and planting
Hollyhocks are a great addition to any garden, with their tall stems of bright blooms. They are easy to grow and have very limited pest problems. They are short-lived perennials, usually living between 2 and 5 years.
Hollyhocks require rich, fertile, and well-drained soil. They can tolerate clay, silt, or sand but will not perform well in wet winter soil. The soil's pH level does not matter, as they grow in acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions.
When preparing the soil, add some finished compost, manure, and organic slow-release fertiliser. You can also add mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane, or pea straw. Hollyhocks are heavy feeders, so they benefit from routine fertilisation. Fertilise every 6-8 weeks with a well-balanced, slow-release fertiliser.
If you are planting from seeds, fill trays or pots with a good quality seed-raising mix and sow seeds 6mm deep. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Seeds should germinate in 10-14 days at a soil temperature of 18-28°C. Transplant the seedlings once they are about 5-10cm tall, spacing them about 30-50cm apart. Water them well and make sure they get plenty of sunlight.
If you are transplanting established hollyhocks, do so in early spring. Cut back the stems and foliage, leaving about 6 inches above the ground. Dig around the plant and then remove it from the ground. Cut the plant into sections, making sure each section has a piece of root with a couple of "eyes". Replant these sections as soon as possible.
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Sunlight and shade requirements
Hollyhocks need plenty of direct sun to look their best. They grow best in full sun, but can also grow in partial sun. Choose a location that receives at least six hours of full sun each day. Although they can tolerate some shade, excess shade may cause the plant to stretch or become leggy, and flowering can also be affected, resulting in fewer or smaller blooms.
In hot summer regions, hollyhocks require some shade and protection. They perform well under a wide range of conditions, but very cool or hot temperatures may slow their growth and overall performance.
Hollyhocks are short-lived perennials, usually living between two and five years. They commonly self-seed in the garden, so choose a permanent position where plants can grow undisturbed by regular digging or disturbance. If you do not want hollyhocks to become established in your garden, deadhead plants before they can drop seeds or grow them in containers.
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Watering and fertilising
Hollyhocks are heavy feeders and require regular fertilising. They need a rich, fertile soil, so add some finished compost and other amendments when planting them. They can be grown in a wide range of soil types, including acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions.
When it comes to fertilising, it is recommended to feed the plants every 6-8 weeks with a well-balanced, slow-release fertiliser specifically formulated for ornamental plants. You can also enrich the soil by adding some homemade compost, manure, organic slow-release fertiliser, and mulch.
In terms of watering, hollyhocks require routine watering through the summer to maintain consistent moisture in their beds. They should be watered from below, ensuring that the leaves are not accidentally wetted. This can be achieved through drip irrigation or soaker hoses, which help prevent common diseases.
When growing from seeds, keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Water gently and keep the soil moist during the germination period, which is typically around 10-14 days at a soil temperature of 18-28°C.
Overall, hollyhocks require regular watering and fertilising, especially during the summer months, to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients and moisture for healthy growth and abundant blooms.
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Common pests and diseases
Hollyhocks are generally hardy plants with very limited pest problems. However, they are susceptible to certain pests and diseases. Here are some common ones to watch out for:
Weevils
Weevils are a common pest of hollyhocks. They can attack the seeds, flowers, and foliage of the plant. If you notice weevils on your hollyhock, you can try shaking the plant vigorously over a bucket of soapy water to dislodge and drown the pests. Introducing beneficial nematodes into the garden can also help to control weevil populations. For severe or recurring infestations, you may need to use a pesticide specifically targeted at weevils.
Rust
Rust is a fungal disease caused by the fungus Puccinia malvacearum. It is the most common and destructive disease affecting hollyhocks. The first sign of infection is reddish-brown spots on the underside of leaves near the bottom of the plant. As the infection spreads, the spots enlarge and can turn orange or yellow, sometimes with a red center. The disease can cause hollyhock growth to become deformed and stunted, and in severe cases, leaves will fall off. Good ventilation at the planting site can help prevent rust infections, although this must be balanced with protecting hollyhocks from strong winds. Avoid planting hollyhocks too close together, as crowding creates the perfect environment for rust to thrive.
Scales
Scales are sap-sucking insects that can be found on hollyhocks. They can be removed and disposed of if found on old flower spikes. If they are present on other sections of the plant, they can be squashed. For larger infestations, spraying with horticultural oil can be effective.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars can burrow into hollyhock buds and eat the flowers. Regularly check your plants for caterpillars, eggs, or signs of damage, and remove and dispose of any that are found. Bacterial sprays such as Bacillus thuringiensis can also be used to control caterpillar infestations.
Other Pests
Other pests that may affect hollyhocks include snails, slugs, aphids, leafhoppers, red-banded leafrollers, and various types of plant bugs. Good garden hygiene and proper irrigation can help keep pest populations under control. Sprays such as acephate, azadirachtin, carbaryl, imidacloprid, and malathion can be used to prevent foliar feeding by certain pests.
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Transplanting and propagation
Transplanting hollyhocks is difficult due to the delicacy of their taproots, but it can be done in early spring. To transplant, cut back the stems and foliage, leaving about 6 inches above the ground. Then, dig around all sides of the plant with a spading fork to pry it out of the ground. Shake off the excess soil, then cut the plant into several sections and divide the taproot with a knife. Each section should have a couple of "eyes" and a piece of root. Plant the sections as soon as possible.
When transplanting hollyhocks into your garden bed, ensure the seedlings are spaced well apart—at least 30-50 cm. Water them in well and mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane, or pea straw.
Hollyhocks are typically grown against something for support, such as a wall or fence, especially if they are a taller variety. They can also be staked. If you don't have a support for them to grow on, add stakes and tie the plants to them until they're established, then remove the stakes.
Hollyhocks are heavy feeders, so they benefit from routine fertilisation. Fertilise every 6-8 weeks with a slow-release fertiliser. They also require rich, fertile, and well-drained soil. They can tolerate clay, silt, or sand but won't perform well in wet winter soil. They are not picky about the pH of the soil and can grow in acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions.
Hollyhocks are usually grown from seeds, which can be sown directly into the ground or started in trays or pots. To start seeds in trays or pots, fill the containers with a seed-raising mix and sow the seeds about 6mm deep. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Seeds should germinate in 10-14 days at a soil temperature of 18-28°C. Transplant the seedlings once they have their first true leaves and are about 5-10 cm tall.
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