Beginner Gardening: Perennials: Hollyhocks, 1 by dmj1218

dmj1218 wrote:
Mini--I grow hollyhocks every year here in a similar climate to yours. I start mine in small seedling pots (peat pots dry out too quickly for me) with germinating mix at end of July outside on the shady porch. Watch the water constantly as it is so hot down here at that time of year. When they get about 4 true leaves, plant out in garden (usually end of Aug) and make sure they never dry out. They will sit in the ground and sulk until about mid-Oct and then grow like gangbusters all winter long. They then start blooming (for me anyway) about end of April-mid May. They like pretty rich soil and will not make it thru the heat of summer for me, anyway. I treat them like bienniels. Here are mine, as of Friday with an old lettuce leaves mulch behind them. I'm into heavy mulch with them, and everything else down here. Hope this helps.
Debbie