Had anyone had success with hollyhocks in Central Texas? I'm assuming a fall outdoor planting? Any other advice? thanks!
Hollyhocks in Central Texas?
I go to New Mexico every August and there, I think because of the cooler evenings, not to mention it rarely exceeds 90*, they grow out of cracks in the sidewalk. I stopped at a boutique with fushia ones outside and she said anyone could take seeds. I got one plant ot grow and mature...somany leaves lost to the heat, and when it finally bloomed last summer...it was 3' tall, it had smallish, pale mauveish blooms, sort of underwhelming. I left it out on the deck, tucked away, and this year, it has tougher and larger leaves and I don't know what to expect.
This shot is from last March and I can't find a pic with blooms.
Good luck...when and if it blooms I'll post pix. I didn't take seed because it was such a weenie and wan little number. ;o)
Hope you do well with it, I'll look for your posts.
I suspect the one you found is a Malva sylvestris or French hollyhock ~ http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/51464/ . I've had luck with them but am not in central TX. I know many others grow them also. If yours blooms Sylguy, save the seeds. Hollyhocks are biennual and usually bloom in the second year. Good luck.
I've seen the French...it's bushier around here and does pretty well. The seeds I took are from an intense saturated color fushia/purple.
Tall and slender then?
Yes...I'm going Monday, and will take pix for the fun of it, in N.M
Thanks Sylguy, I'm going to try a fall planting with afternoon shade--also found Alcea filicifolia seed mix (Thompson and Morgan I think) and I've heard they do better in the heat. I've had success with Malva sylvestris in the past...