How to grow Hollyhocks in the UK
Towering spires of flowers taller than a grown-up - a cottage garden classic.
- DifficultyEasy peasy
- WhereBeds or Pots
- Sunfull sun
- Grows to200cm
- Spacing45cm
- Time to first pickabout 40 weeks
- Typebiennial
When to sow, plant and harvest hollyhocks
| Sow outdoors | mid May to mid July |
|---|---|
| Plant | early April to late May |
| In flower | early July to mid September |
Dates are for central England. Sow about two weeks later in the north and Scotland, and up to two weeks earlier in the south and south west. Get the dates for your postcode.
Sowing it outdoors
- Pull out any weeds and rake the top of your bed until it's crumbly, like cake crumbs
- Make a little line in the soil (just covered) with your finger or a stick
- Drop the seeds in, about 45cm apart each way
- Gently cover them with soil and pat it down
- Water with a watering can that has a sprinkler head
- Push in a label so you remember what's there
Planting it
- Water your new plants in their pots first
- Dig a hole a bit bigger than the pot
- Tip the plant out gently, holding the leaves, not the stem
- Pop it in the hole, firm the soil around it, and water well
- Space the plants about 45cm apart each way
Top tips for growing hollyhocks
- Grow against a wall or fence and tie them in.
- Orange spots on leaves are rust - pick those leaves off.
Looking after hollyhocks
- Week 4: Tie your hollyhocks to a cane or fence before they flop
Soil and feeding
Poor soil - really!. Nasturtiums flower best in poor soil. Feed them and you get all leaves and no flowers.
Pests and problems
- Slugs & snails: munch seedlings overnight, worst in wet weather
- Protect young plants from slugs
Harvesting and eating hollyhocks
Enjoy the giants!
Saving your own hollyhocks seed
It only makes seed in its second summer.
- This plant flowers in its second year, so leave one or two strong plants in the ground over winter
- Next summer they grow tall and flower - bees love them
- Cut the seed heads when they're brown and dry, and shake out the seeds
- Cabbage-family plants cross with each other, so seed may not come true
Where to buy hollyhocks seeds
Thompson & Morgan · Suttons · Amazon
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Hollyhocks questions
When should I sow hollyhocks in the UK?
In the UK, sow hollyhocks outdoors from mid May to mid July. These dates suit central England; sow about two weeks later in the north and Scotland and up to two weeks earlier in the mild south and south west.
When do I plant out hollyhocks?
Plant hollyhocks out from early April to late May.
When can I enjoy hollyhocks?
Hollyhocks is ready from early July to mid September. Enjoy the giants!
How long do hollyhocks take to grow?
Roughly 40 weeks from sowing or planting until the first harvest.
Are hollyhocks easy to grow?
Hollyhocks are rated 'easy peasy' for beginners, and can be grown in the ground or a raised bed or in pots and containers.
Plan your own garden: it tells you what to do and when, for your postcode.
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