Re: Hollyhocks and other things

In a message dated 11/1/00 4:04:49 PM Eastern Standard Time, Meum71@aol.com 
writes:

<< Do not take this a definitive answer, but Hollyhocks are so strongly 
apical 
 dominant, that I would not cut them off.  I do not believe this will cause 
 them to Branch and give you more flowers. >>

I would certainly agree with Paul.  If your hollyhocks (original question) 
are over ten feet tall that would be their natural size plus some added for 
the Northeastern rain excess this year.

Should you desire lower plants you could research seeds available and grow 
some plants of the size desired.  There are singles and doubles plus some 
that bloom the first year or annuals.  The annual sort are quite short.

If you want branched plants there are several species that do branch.  Alcea 
ficifolia: pale yellow as a rule and branched; Alcea rugosa: also yellow with 
large flowers.  There are many hybrids and strains.

I would guess that cutting down a hollyhock rosea in spring might get you 
some less vigorous and less attractive bloomstalks.  The is a much promoted 
annual blooming hollyhock with double flowers that remains under four feet.  
The name escapes me just now.  Species seed is sold by nurserymen on this 
list.

If your present plants live over or there are some new ones in the garden 
from seed you can shorten them a bit by digging them up and transplanting in 
the spring.  The shock usually reduces the size of the transplant.  

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index