once or twice before flowering to create
later blooming, shorter plants that
don’t require staking. Flower spikes
will be smaller but more in scale with
the shorter plants, and more useful for
smaller flower arrangements.
other maintenance Hollyhock
is definitely in the high-maintenance
weight class. A choice plant of a
variety of insects and diseases, and
it’s particularly demolished by
Japanese beetles and rust. Staking
is usually required unless plants are
pruned or lower-growing forms
are selected. Rich moist soil and good
drainage are essential.
related plantS Alcea rosea
Chater’s Series is a double perennial
form. Alcea rosea ‘Old Farmyard’ is a
single, 6- to 8-ft.-tall perennial form.
Plants may be cut back by half in about
mid-May, or when 15–18 in. high, and
then again when in tight bud around
mid-June, or when 3 ft. tall—the last
pruning is usually necessary because
the plants may still be spindly. Pruning
in this way will mean that plants
flower at approximately 3 1/2 ft. tall,
rather than the typical 6–7 ft., and
about 3 or 4 weeks later, starting
around July 20 and continuing,
although only lightly, into early
October. Also, plants generally aren’t
as badly affected by Japanese beetles at
this later date. Such pruning makes
the plant usable in my front border,
which adds to the cottage garden look,
and it doesn’t need to be relegated to a
cutting garden once it is “reformed.” A
few branches can be left uncut at the
second pruning in June to allow some
flowers to bloom then and to provide
color in the gardens and for cutting.
Alcea rugosa has pale yellow flowers
and is resistant to rust. Doesn’t fall
over. Deadheading prolongs bloom
into autumn. Grows 4 ft. tall.Alcea rosea