Looks like a hollyhock. Are you certain that the buds belong to this plant? Maybe a pic of the buds would help.

Malva of some kind, possibly.

Looks like some sort of hollyhock to me too. Hollyhocks flower spikes go usually straight up.

Malvaceae anyway. There's no scale so we can't tell the size but the leaf shape doesn't look quite right for Hollyhock to me.

Thank you for the replies.
Also, mamagoose, I'm glad you mentioned the buds because as I examined them closer this morning, it looks like they are just new srpouts of additional leaves coming out, not fruit or vegetable buds.
I found another plant identical to this in the back of the garden that is about 4 feet high, so am guessing hollyhock? But will also check out pictures of malvaceae to compare.
Thank all of you for your knowledge and responses; very helpful and appreciated.

Malvaceae is a plant family of which Hollyhock is one member. Cotton, okra, hibiscus and marshmallow are some others. To me your plant looks rather more like Malva sylvestris than Hollyhock.