Prune the leaves and stems back to 6 inches (15 cm.) from the ground in fall. The hollyhocks then need a layer of organic material over the root zone to protect them from freezing. ... Once you see new growth, remove all the material to allow space for the the fresh leaves and stems to grow.

When should I cut down my hollyhocks?

When your hollyhock is too tall, it can flop over or look out of scale with the rest of the garden. Cutting the flower stems down by half when they are 18 inches tall and again before they bloom -- when tall varieties are 3 feet tall -- produces stockier flower stems.

Do you cut hollyhocks down at the end of the season?

End of season care

No pruning is required, just remove any leaves that are heavily infected with rust disease through the summer and cut down the flower spikes when the flowers have faded. Hollyhocks are easy to grow from seed and will readily self-seed in your garden.

Do hollyhocks need to be cut back?

Hollyhock flowers can be removed when they fade and stalks can be cut back after flowering. This will prevent seed heads from forming and reseeding. Although, if you'd like to have seeds set for next spring, leave the flowers and a few stalks until the seeds have dropped.

Will hollyhocks return year after year?

They appear to be perennials as they do come back year after year but they are actually biennials which self-seed prolifically. Being a biennial means that it is often best to start new Hollyhocks in August or September so that they will then bloom the following summer.

Hollyhocks Cutting back and collecting seed

22 related questions found

Are any hollyhocks perennial?

First of all, hollyhocks are a short lived perennial. This means that most varieties will only live two to three years. Their lifespan can be extended some by removing growing hollyhock flowers as soon as they fade.

How do you keep hollyhocks healthy?

Tips for Maintaining Your Hollyhocks

1. Plant Hollyhocks in a Suitable Location. Hollyhock's relish full sunlight with balanced soil that drains efficiently. ...
2. Water Hollyhocks Regularly. ...
3. Fertilizer Use. ...
4. Companion Planting. ...
5. Remove Spent Blossoms. ...
6. Prune Your Hollyhocks. ...
7. Winterizing Your Hollyhocks.

How do you prune hollyhocks after they bloom?

Removing spent hollyhock blooms is pretty simple: just pinch or clip off those that have faded and finished flowering, before the seed pod forms. You can do this throughout the growing season. Pinch off spent blooms and dead leaves regularly to promote more growth and flowers.

Will hollyhocks reseed themselves?

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are ornamental flowering plants that may be either biennial or short-lived perennial with flowers in shades of pink, white, yellow, and red. Not only are hollyhocks easy to grow from seed, but they'll even reseed themselves each year after your initial planting.

Can hollyhocks be planted in the fall?

Answer: Hollyhock seeds can be sown outdoors in either pots or in seedbeds in late summer. In the fall, before the ground freezes, or in the spring after the ground has thawed, move the plants to a permanent location in the garden.

Why are my hollyhock blooms falling off?

In addition to flower drop during high temps, cooler temperatures following blossom set can also lead to healthy blossoms falling off. Insufficient light, whether it's too much or too little, can also contribute to healthy flowers dropping off plants.

Do hollyhocks flower in the first year?

do hollyhocks bloom the first year? Many hollyhocks are biennials, so in the first year the plant will be establishing its roots and foliage, and it will go on to flower, set seed and die in its second year.

How deep do Hollyhock roots go?

The hole should be wider than the roots and deep enough to encourage the long taproot of bare root hollyhock plants to easily grow downward. When planting, the taproot should point downward. Don't plant too deeply though, just a couple inches (5 cm.) below the soil.

How do hollyhocks reproduce?

Hollyhocks can be propagated by division as well as by seed. In winter, spring, or fall (when the hollyhocks are not blooming), loosen the ground around established plants. Then gently pull stalks out of the ground—retaining their long roots—and place them in a bucket of water.

Do hollyhocks bloom all summer?

Hollyhock, Alcea rosea, is a summer blooming biennial that has an upright habit with thick sturdy stems. They are winter hardy to zone 3. Zones 3 to 8 begin blooming mid to late summer. In zones 9 to 10, young plants are set out in fall and bloom early spring through summer.

Do hollyhocks spread?

Growing Hollyhock Flowers

For best performance, irrigate from below and provide good air circulation. Once you get Hollyhocks established you will have them forever. You will have to be sure and dead head them to prevent getting too many, they spread easily but that is all part of gardening.

Do hollyhocks like sun or shade?

Hollyhocks are not fussy and survive in many spots but do best in soil that has been amended with compost. They do not like dry soil. With adequate moisture and good drainage, hollyhocks can thrive in full sun or partial shade. Try them in a few different spots in your yard and see where they are happiest.

What kills hollyhock rust?

Use of Organic Fungicides

In cases of severe infection from hollyhock rust, fungicide treatment may be necessary. Fungicides such as sulfur or copper are organic options available commercially at most garden centers or nurseries. ... The combination of sulfur and oils is phytotoxic, which means it can kill your plant.

What is eating holes in my hollyhock leaves?

The hollyhock weevil eats small irregular holes in the leaves, while Japanese beetles can riddle the leaves with holes eventually skeletonizing them. ... Caterpillars and sawflies can also eat irregular shaped holes in the leaves. Look for them at dusk on the underside of leaves and along the stems and remove any you find.

How long do hollyhock blooms last?

Remove any seed-heads that may form, so hollyhock will continue to bloom for several years. Most plants will live and bloom for several years in Zones 3-8 if stalks are cut off at the base after flowers have faded.

How often do you fertilize hollyhocks?

Fertilize the hollyhock plant two times per year, once in the early spring as it begins the growing cycle, and again in the fall to sustain it through the winter. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 15-15-15.

Should I fertilize my hollyhock?

Hollyhocks don't need heavy fertilization. Over-fertilization can result in leggy, weak stems and poor flowering. Too much nitrogen can also aid fungal disease growth.