Why I love Hollyhocks

[GardenFaery]

They are a safe, non-toxic (to animals) altenative to lupins, delphiniums and foxgloves in a cottage garden setting.
The shape of the seed looks like a little seashell and echoes the shape of the leaves so you always know what they are. They grow in virtually anything.
Mice don't eat them in the way they have virtually decimated the tops off my sunflowers!
They are drought resistant.
Remains of hollyhocks have been found in a Neanderthal burial site at Shanidar.The colours are diverse and can be mixed easily with many other cottage garden type plants.

Only drawback is the dratted rust, but fingers crossed not a problem so far...

[Jeanied]

Give it time, GF, give it time! I love hollyhocks too, but sadly the rust comes rushing in all too quickly. I have my own theory, I think it comes in on the groundsel.

[GardenFaery]

Fortunately, negativity has no roots in my garden LOL

[bearded bloke]

Good luck girl I just love ALL the classic country garden flowers,just wish I was more adept at growing them that said my foxgloves & lupins are coming on now & the gladiolas have broken the surface having been left in all winter

[Jeanied]

Well now if we are going in for some old cottage garden stalwarts, I have to put a word in for my big favourites, sweet rocket!

[bearded bloke]

Off to find a picture Jeanie sweet williams & PROPER (classic) wallflowers with nice "earthy" colours (ochres,umbers,siennas.etc)

[Feral007]

I think I need to start a Farm Garden Thread Garden Faery. I'm getting jealous listening to all these lovely flowers. Trouble is that even drought resistant doesn't work well here. And if they will survive here you can be they are just the plant to get spread thru the bushland by the birds.

Maybe I will start a Native (Aus) Farm Garden thread so I can research what might be best and nicest for planting in the spring here.

Lots of luck with the hollyhocks.

[GardenFaery]

Have wallflowers and sweet williams too - teehee

aboriginal garden Feral? *giggles*

Dust Echoes

[Feral007]

Oh no, they didn't garden that was their problem, they moved around what was already growing so those pesky people in boats said they didn't own anything!

[RedThorn]

Well those boat people did need something to whinge about

[Jeanied]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._2939982_n.jpg


Let's see if I can link a picture of my lilac sweet rockets from a couple of years ago.

[bearded bloke]

Ohhh them's pretty Jeanie are they annual & would it be to late to set seed this month ?

[Jeanied]

They are short lived hardy perennials BB - and they self seed all over my plot. So I reckon you can sow them anytime!

[Ananke]

I'm growing hollyhocks for the first time this year for both my plot and my Mum's garden. Looking forward to seeing them in bloom

[zazen999]

We also have rust but no groundsel...Mr Z chops the rusty leaves off as it grows and makes the plant look statuesque and the lack of leaves makes the plants behind visible. It is a really excellent look and works well for us.