Hollyhocks

The native habitat of Hollyhocks is China. The plants were cultivated by Chinese gardeners to symbolize the passing of time

Chinese peasants revered the cooked leaves as spring greens and the buds as a delicacy

The crusaders brought the plants via the Mediterranian to Europe in the15th. century and John Withrop Jr. brought the plants to America in 1630

Seeds and Planting
Biennials take two seasons to complete their life cycle (1). When hollyhocks are grown as biennials the seeds should be planted outside or in a cold frame in June or July. The young plants should be transplanted to their permanent location when small, because a large tap root makes the transplanting of older seedlings difficult

The plants will be sturdy enough to survive the winter and will bloom the following year
If hollyhocks are grown as annuals the seeds can be started inside in February using all-purpose seed starting mix

The seeds will germinate in about two weeks if the temperature is kept at about 70°F

Germination is more reliable if the seed pots are covered to retain heat and moisture. The seedlings can be transplanted outside in May after a period of hardening off .

The seeds can be also be sown directly in the seedbed as soon as the ground can be worked

I got up so early this morning couldn't sleep. It's very windy here in Mo.

Still more winter yet to come. Bur.....
Today I have been thinking about hollyhocks,I used to live down the street from a little old women thathad these growing on the side of her home. They always caught my attention.