Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) add a fair amount of drama to the garden with their soaring stalks and bell-shaped blooms. They can reach up to 6 to 8 feet in height, and their colors range from white to pink to lavender, making them a storybook addition to a cottage garden. They’re a focal point for garden visitors, including pollinators who love them for their nectar and pollen. They’re not complicated to maintain, make great cut flowers, and are self-seeding so your garden will remain in continuous supply. When is the best time to plant these lively summer blooms? You can actually plant them in spring or fall. Here’s the best time to plant hollyhock seeds based on your climate and how to succeed at getting continuous blooms.
What To Know About Growing Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are biennials, meaning you won’t see their beautiful displays until the second year. They spend their first year of growth focusing on developing strong roots and foliage. They are short-lived flowers that only live for two years, dying after they finally bloom. Since they self-seed, however, they continue to replenish the supply so you don’t have to keep sowing seeds yourself. Grow them in rich, well-draining soil with ample sunlight, though they can tolerate a variety of soils, soil pH, and light conditions. Because of their height, plant them in an area that provides protection from wind.
Why You Should Plant In Spring
Plant hollyhock seeds directly outdoors in the spring after the last frost. If you plan to start the seeds indoors and transplant them as the temperatures warm, which is recommended in colder climates, you can start the seeds eight to ten weeks before the last frost. Transplant them to an outdoor garden about two or three weeks after the last frost.
Why Plant In The Fall
In milder climates, late summer or early fall is the best time for planting. To plant in the fall, sow seeds six to eight weeks before the first frost so they can establish roots before winter sets in.
How To Plant Seeds Outdoors
Choose a sunny location with soil that has good drainage, ideally near a wall or fence that can protect their tall stalks from strong winds.
Soak the seeds in warm water for 12 hours before planting to soften their tough outer coating.
Press seeds ¼ inch deep into the soil, about 2 feet apart. Hollyhock seeds need sunlight to germinate, so don’t cover them with soil.
Gently water the seeds and keep them consistently moist until germination.
Mulch the plants in winter in colder climates.
Feed with compost or fertilizer once spring arrives and water regularly.
How To Start Seeds Indoors
Soak the seeds in warm water for 12 hours before planting to soften their tough outer coating.
Eight to ten weeks before the last frost, plant seeds ¼ inch deep in individual pots.
Gently water the seeds and keep them consistently moist until germination.
Transplant the seedlings to the garden once they develop two or three sets of true leaves, about two or three weeks before the last frost.
Water them regularly and fertilize or amend the soil with compost.
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