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| We're always posting photos of our spectacular plants, so I thought I would shake it up a bit and post a couple of photos of a plant which has really disappointed me: Spring Celebrities Hollyhock For some reason last winter, I decided to try one of the dwarf hollyhocks since the standard monsters simply do not work in my small garden - plus I hate staking tall plants. The Spring Celebrities series caught my eye, so I ordered one - just as a test. It started out nice, it grew fast, the foliage was nice and mounded and the first flowers emerged more from the base of the plant which I thought was kind of interesting. It also bloomed early - like early July or so and as continued non-stop. That's about all the nice things I can say about this one. For me, it just lacks the grace of the standard hollyhock. There is kind of a central stem, but only a few flowers open at a time and over a very long period of time, so it never achieved the traditional hollyhock affect if you know what I mean. Am I being to harsh? Has anyone grown these and really liked them? It think I should give it another year - if it survives another year, but if you think it's a waste of garden space, Ill rethink that. Oh yes, I really regret choosing this color. Maybe some of the other colors would be better. What do you think? Kevin
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by echinaceamaniac 7 (My Page) on Thu, Aug 22, 13 at 14:03
| It looks nice to me. It seems like it would bloom longer than the ones that bloom all at once as well. If you really can't stand the sight of it, give it to a friend or enemy. |
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| I would describe it as "ungainly." The shape doesn't do much for me. The flowers are also a bit frou-frou next to the no-nonsense rudbeckia. Have you seen Sidalcea 'Party Girl'? It's like a little scale model of a hollyhock, only a lot healthier and more refined. She is dark pink which pairs well with typical late summer partners, and is about 30" tall at most. |
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- Posted by susanzone5 z5NY (My Page) on Thu, Aug 22, 13 at 17:12
| Try "Queenie Purple" if you're looking for a short, well-behaved, beautiful hollyhock. Mine has always looked great in a large container. It grows about two feet. |
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| I've never been fond of the doubled flowers - to me Hollyhocks have to have single flowers to look right! Sidalceas are very nice (but mine disappeared on me!) |
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- Posted by echinaceamaniac 7 (My Page) on Thu, Aug 22, 13 at 20:25
| Some black hollyhocks would look good there! |
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- Posted by nutmeg4061 5b (My Page) on Thu, Aug 22, 13 at 22:21
| I think it would look great with some purples and/or pinks, like in this photo. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Hollyhocks
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- Posted by princessgrace79 8 (My Page) on Fri, Aug 23, 13 at 0:57
| I have this same one in pink, it's not my fave, but my kids liked it. I did out it in the bed with dahlias, glads, so the style of flower goes together better. I may just keep it for cut flowers.... |
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| karin - Yes, ungainly is a good description. When I planted this one, it was kind of a test, so it got stuck near the back of the border. The Rudbeckia just happened to be there. Also, the Hollyhock bloomed way longer than expected and the Rudbeckia bloomed way early. They were never meant to be companions. It's been a long time since I've grown Sidalcea. but maybe I need to try that one again. woodyoak - I agree. I really don't like the doubles either. (So why did I order this one??) I'll check out the 'Queenie Purple" and nutmeg - the Hollyhocks in that photo are exactly what I was looking for. Very similar to the big ones in growth habit, just smaller. Thanks for the comments. Kevin |
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