Sometimes, it feels like I’m living in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. While I’m gardening for my dentist, my mailman strolls by. We greet each other by name, and he mentions that I have a package from England he’ll deliver later today!
Take a look at my hollyhocks in my English cottage garden! Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) bloom in mid-summer, showcasing numerous flowers on tall spikes. Many common varieties are biennials, completing their lifecycle over two years. The first year focuses on growing foliage and storing energy, while the second year sees the stalks shoot up, flowers bloom, and seeds form. Some of mine bloom year after year.
Aside from staking and cutting back the stalks after flowering, hollyhocks require minimal maintenance, but they do need protection from insects and fungal diseases like rust. Unfortunately, my hollyhocks have been affected by a fungal disease, and I’m unsure how to treat it.
Hollyhocks play a vital role in supporting the lifecycle of painted lady butterflies as a host plant for their caterpillars and also attract other pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. A cottage garden isn’t complete without a few hollyhocks gracing the edges!
Here's information from the American Horticultural Society
Treatment for Fungal Disease: To treat fungal diseases like rust, you can:
- Remove Infected Leaves: Cut back any affected foliage to reduce the spread.
- Improve Air Circulation: Space plants adequately to allow airflow.
- Use Fungicides: Apply a fungicide specifically for hollyhocks, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Water Wisely: Water at the base of the plants to keep foliage dry.
