Next door’s garden
June 25, 2011 by outofmyshed
Hollyhocks (Alcea) have taken over at Lindsey’s, next door, and it’s a marvelous sight to come home to every day.
These Mallows have self seeded all over her garden, and we’ve now planted some of the seedlings in tree pits as well. They look weirdly wonderful popping up next to a tree. Thanks Lindsey.
Posted in Perennials, Plant combinations | Tagged Alcea, Finsbury Park front gardens, Flowers in front gardens, Front garden, gardening in front gardens, Hollyhocks, Hollyhocks in front gardens, Mallow, monoplanting with Hollyhocks, Pink and red Hollyhocks | 13 Comments
What a fantastic sight – think I’ll plant some next year.
Hi Elaine, technically, Hollyhocks are biennials, which grow in the first year and then flower (and die) in the second year. However, in my experience, if happy, Hollyhocks come back year after year, so behave more like perennials. If you want flowers next year, then buy small plants and plant out now. Seeds sown this autumn or next spring won’t flower until the following summer of 2013. V.best Naomi
They are lovely … not something I can grow in my part of the world, but I can appreciate them nonetheless.
Hi Bernie, Which part of the world are you gardening in? V.best Naomi
Naomi, I’m in north-eastern Australia. It’s mostly hot and humid here. The only exception to that really is when we get our rather pleasant end-of-Autumn and Winter weather. Right now it’s our first month of Winter and this is the time of year I love. But even with the slight drop in temps there’s no chance of growing things like Hollyhocks.
HI Bernie, If not Hollyhocks, what’s growing in your garden at the moment? Best, Naomi
I have a few all-year round bloomers like Hibiscus, Pentas and Pseudomussaenda. Calliandras have begun their cool season blooming and I’ve plants up annuals like Snapdragons, Petunias, Violas, Pansies, Allyssum. Pelargoniums are beginning to bloom once more, Plectranthus, Cleome, Impatiens are still in bloom. A lot of my garden is still in recovery after being significantly damaged by a severe cyclone earlier this year, so a few of the usual winter bloomers are being rather quiet at the moment.
Wow! I don’t know what half of these exotic sounding plants are!- although I have nurtured a plectranthus from a small cutting this year. Still waiting for any signs of flowering, then it’s back inside for a protected winter again. Your garden does sound amazing! V.best Naomi
A cottage garden feel in an urban street, lovely! The deeper coloured hollyhocks are my favourites and it’s worth gathering a few seed heads in the autumn. I also like the rest of the planting – are those ox-eye daisies underneath? Caro x
Hi Caro, not sure if these are Ox-eye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) as the leaves seem heavier than this wild flower and were donated by another neighbour, Claire at no.60. However, must be closely related-will ask if Claire knows! V.best Naomi
I love single hollyhock–my favorite flower. Thanks for the great photo.
Lots of watering going on here. Waiting, hoping, for rain soon. Christine
Hollyhocks are so lovely. I’ve grown some from seed this year so am hoping for beautiful blooms next year.
[…] were inspired originally by Lindsey’s Hollyhocks in her front garden. Seeds were gathered and a few years on are looking great elsewhere in the […]