hollyhocks

lol nature stronger than man made then.

yes, in this case, Tpb! I have Hh in many of my flower beds around the garden but this clump grew in a crushed rock driveway..and the rain we've had has made the lower leaves ragged with rust and sand..still they're standing taller than the cosseted ones and have stood through some horrible weather. I found that if I plant ajuga or creeping jenny around the base of the Hh it forms a barrier between the lower Hh leaves and the soil...stopping the rust spores from the soil getting on the leaves. Discovered this in my transfer bed last year and had a very healthy specimen grow to 8 ft. with mostly healthy leaves all the way up the stock!

How interesting about planting creeping Jenny around the base I shall keep that in mind . I love Hollyhocks yet only tried once to grow them they never grew. I cant wait to see yours in flower Lori

Me, too, Tpb! It's been cold and rainy the last few days.

Its rained here the other few days but yesterday and today its sunny not hot though thank goodness.

Seems the cool wet is going to hang around for a while...The hollyhocks love hot and dry, it seems. the picture was taken on the 8th...and here it is the 15th... they sure are taking their time.

Better late than never perhaps they are waiting for the rain to go.☺

We've had some warmth and that brought them on... will post a pic. they're a lovely peachy pink.

Thats great Lori I shall look forward to seeing them.