Question about Hollyhocks

I grew my first Hollyhocks this year and they bloomed so beautifully. They are almost done now and I have 2 questions about them. 1. Where do I find the seeds..the whole flower and head fall off and there isn't anything left? 2. Will this plant be finished now, or do I keep the foliage or what? Remember, I live in SoCal, so we don't have a freeze.

Thanks, Donna

SoCal there's a picture of the pods in the database http://davesgarden.com/plants/showimage/1789/index.html

Thanks Sue, but the whole flower and pod came off together, there is nothing left but the stem???? BTW, can you answer my #2 question also?

Thanks, Donna

They should be completely hardy and come back next year. I have some in zone 6 that return each year.

Check on the ground to see if the seeds formed and fell before you had the chance to see them. They should be very easy to see if they're still on the plant. They are pretty obvious and sprout very easily.

This message was edited Monday, Oct 8th 9:03 AM

Might also do a little search on the variety,

There are annuals, semi-annuals and perennials.

Byron

SoCal it seems strange you didn't have any seed pods. Did you deadhead the plant? Maybe you didn't give them a chance to make seeds? If it's done blooming cut it back to the ground and get rid of the foliage. Hollyhocks are prone to rust disease so it's best not to use it in compost - throw it out. It should send out new healthy and clean growth.

i'm laughing about hollyhocks ... i had some in my garden for about 8 years ago and they spread by self seeding, i just let them do their thing for several years. then they started coming up in spots i didn't want them and decided to do some renovation. well, wouldn't you know -- hollyhocks have the most outrageous tap root i've seen in a while! the older ones were a real pain to get out! never never never again ... i will admire hollyhocks in YOUR garden ... :)

Hollyhocks definitely do have a strong root system. If you want to get rid of them, you better be ready to dig.

I have been going out and looking at my one plant. It has stopped dropping the flowers and seed heads like before and I have some seed pods developing. It was so strange to see the seed heads and flowers dropping off at the same time. I don't have any idea what was happening. I have 2 tall stalks that are almost finished blooming and now have 2 more coming up with buds. This is fun to watch a new type of plant grow for me. Thank you all for your info.

Donna

Hmmm. Maybe the heat was stressing it - causing the flowers just to drop off.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, mine do the same thing. It's like some of the blooms are not suppose to produce seeds and other's are..that's how it seems to me anyway. But everyone here is right about the popping up everywhere thing!! I have had them pop up wayyyy out in the yard wayyyy away from the mother plant. But now I have always thought that they were considered to be "biennial's" I guess there are different kinds of them though.
SoCal, what color are your's??

Hi Mollybee,

Thanks for giving me some great info on the blooms falling off. Yes, the first few fell off alltogether, then the rest seem to be staying on (seed heads).
Mine is a pretty pink. I bought them at the Fullerton Arborareum (sp) last year. It was the first time that I ever saw a hollyhock and fell in love with them.

Donna

SoCal, would you like to try some other colors of hollyhock? I have lots of seed collected: Chatter's Pink doubles (a perennial), a burgundy-black double, some lovely old-fashioned singles in a pale pink & in a cream with a peach throat? Email me if you'd like some. I love them too: you just can't have a real cottage garden without hollyhocks against the back! :)

I just received some hollyhock seeds in a trade. My first attempt to grow them. I think they are so pretty but need to know when and how to sow the seeds. Any info would certainly be appreciated.

I throw the seed on the ground now and scratch in lightly.But they can be sown in the early spring as well they like the cooler weather to start I have found out.
Mike