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Hollyhocks are one of the most popular ornamental plants and for many gardeners it is a sad sight to see them die. The question often arises as to how old hollyhocks can become.
In a nutshell
- Hollyhocks are biennial plants
- Flowering and seed ripening only in the 2nd year
- die after seed ripening
- Service life can be increased by cutting measures
- they are hardy
Hollyhocks: Lifespan
The hollyhock or farmer's rose (Alcea rosea) is the most common species of the genus, which is kept as an ornamental plant in German-speaking countries.
- biennial plant
- flowers only in the second year
After two years, you must sow new specimens to continue enjoying them. The reason for this is seed maturity. If seeds are formed after flowering, the hollyhock has served its purpose and dies completely. But that need not be. With the right measures, it can be raised easily and permanently for several years.
Educate for several years
In itself, it is not difficult to raise a classic hollyhock for more than two years. If the hibernation is correct, you only have to prevent the plant from seed ripening. That means you have to cut the flowers at the right time so that no seeds can be formed. To do this, cut off the pretty flowers as soon as they have withered and drooped their heads. You can even prune the plant completely if you like, as it will die over the winter anyway. In this way you save yourself a step before winter and can look forward to more flowers in the years to come.
Notice: Pay attention to the mallow rust throughout the cultivation of the hollyhocks so that the vitality of the plant does not suffer from the fungal disease. To do this, remove permanently infested leaves, apply a fungicide as needed, and plant as airy as possible.
Hardiness of Hollyhocks
Wondering if the hollyhock is hardy? Yes, hollyhocks are plants that get through the winter without any problems. After flowering, the above-ground parts of the plant die off completely in autumn and only the root ball, which consists of a deep-reaching taproot, survives. If you live in a mild region, you can send the mallows into the cold season without any winter protection at all. However, if it is very cold where you are, the following measures are recommended:
- cut back completely
- Cover root ball
- Use brushwood or dry leaves
- distribute generously
Notice: If you keep the hollyhocks in tubs, the tubs are overwintered in frost-free greenhouses, garages or cellars at 8°C to 13°C. Winter protection is not necessary, they should only be watered carefully every 14 days.
frequently asked Questions
Which hollyhock varieties and species are particularly persistent?The classic garden hollyhock probably descends from the perennial pale poplar rose (Alcea biennis), which is not native to Germany and is only found very rarely. Instead, rely on the so-called horse mallows (Alcalthaea), a hybrid of hollyhock and marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), which are perennial. The most popular varieties include 'Parkrondell', 'Parkallee' and 'Parkfrieden', which are well suited for perennial cultivation.
Is self-seeding an alternative to perennial culture?If you want to save yourself the pruning before the seeds are ripe and have planted the plants outside, with a lot of luck a new generation of hollyhocks will grow the following year. Since the roses self-sow, it is not uncommon for new specimens to grow close to the mother plant. But there is no guarantee for this. Self-sowing can also be recognized by the flower colors that do not match the mother plant.
Can the cut flowers be reused?Yes, if you don't let the flowers fade completely, you can make them into a tea. In order to preserve the taste and the ingredients, you should put it on cold and let it steep for several hours. The tea works well against cough irritation and an inflamed throat.