Another question from a neophyte perennial gardener.

I planted five hollyhock roots early this spring when I knew nothing about
perennials. They are in a spot that is almost full sun, but the soil they
are in is much sandier than the rest of the garden. I think some builder's
sand was dumped in that area for drainage. We didn't improve the soil at the
time we planted them, mostly out of stupidity. They have come up as little
bushes of leaves, not more than a foot high. There is no sign of any flower
spikes.

I've never grown these before so I don't know if their small size and lack
of spikes is a sign that the soil was too poor to support them or because
they aren't supposed to flower this year.

Do I leave them there for next year? Dig them up, improve the soil, and
replace them with some decent ones from the local nursery?

They're sitting in one of the few sunny spots in my garden so I don't want
to waste it!



--
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hba1c 5.7 .
Cut the carbs to respond to my email address!

Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes,
strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at
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Jenny wrote:
Another question from a neophyte perennial gardener.

I planted five hollyhock roots early this spring when I knew nothing about
perennials. They are in a spot that is almost full sun, but the soil they
are in is much sandier than the rest of the garden. I think some builder's
sand was dumped in that area for drainage. We didn't improve the soil at the
time we planted them, mostly out of stupidity. They have come up as little
bushes of leaves, not more than a foot high. There is no sign of any flower
spikes.

I've never grown these before so I don't know if their small size and lack
of spikes is a sign that the soil was too poor to support them or because
they aren't supposed to flower this year.

Do I leave them there for next year? Dig them up, improve the soil, and
replace them with some decent ones from the local nursery?

They're sitting in one of the few sunny spots in my garden so I don't want
to waste it!


Jenny,

Hollyhocks sometimes don't bloom until their second season.
Yours may still bloom this season but if they don't just
leave them where they are and they will bloom next year.
Hollyhocks don't require much care. Just feed them every
couple of weeks as you do with your other plants.

I have grown Hollyhocks for about 20 years and in the last
few I have switched to the double (Chatter's double)
Hollyhocks. I have picture of them on my web site,
http://members.iglou.com/brosen/page7.htm and
http://members.iglou.com/brosen/page8.htm They they are just
as easy to grow (from seed) as the single Hollyhocks. I
usually start the seeds in the early fall. That way they
get a good start and usually bloom by July.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Digital Camera: HP PhotoSmart 850

For pictures of my garden flowers visit
http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Remove NO_WEEDS_ in e-mail address to reply by e-mail

Jenny wrote:

Another question from a neophyte perennial gardener.

I planted five hollyhock roots early this spring when I knew nothing about
perennials. They are in a spot that is almost full sun, but the soil they
are in is much sandier than the rest of the garden. I think some builder's
sand was dumped in that area for drainage. We didn't improve the soil at the
time we planted them, mostly out of stupidity.* They* have come up as little
bushes of leaves, not more than a foot high.* There is no sign of any flower
spikes.

Where did you get them ?
I planted six from Kelly Nurseries -* or Burgess* - and they are exactly the
same
as* you describe.** They are along a stockade fence, in very good soil.
I was hoping for the tall product that is usually planted along tall fences.
Didn't expect little bushy things.

I've never grown these before so I don't know if their small size and lack
of spikes is a sign that the soil was too poor to support them or because
they aren't supposed to flower this year.

Maybe we have the 'wait till next year' variety ?*** I am a Cubs fan as well.

Ma

Bill R wrote:

Jenny wrote:
Another question from a neophyte perennial gardener.

I planted five hollyhock roots early this spring when I knew nothing about
perennials. They are in a spot that is almost full sun, but the soil they
are in is much sandier than the rest of the garden. I think some builder's
sand was dumped in that area for drainage. We didn't improve the soil at the
time we planted them, mostly out of stupidity.* They* have come up as little
bushes of leaves, not more than a foot high.* There is no sign of any flower
spikes.

I've never grown these before so I don't know if their small size and lack
of spikes is a sign that the soil was too poor to support them or because
they aren't supposed to flower this year.

Do I leave them there for next year?* Dig them up, improve the soil, and
replace them with some decent ones from the local nursery?

They're sitting in one of the few sunny spots in my garden so I don't want
to waste it!


Jenny,

Hollyhocks sometimes don't bloom until their second season.
** Yours may still bloom this season but if they don't just
leave them where they are and they will bloom next year.
Hollyhocks don't require much care. Just feed them every
couple of weeks as you do with your other plants.

I have grown Hollyhocks for about 20 years and in the last
few I have switched to the double (Chatter's double)
Hollyhocks.* I have picture of them on my web site,
http://members.iglou.com/brosen/page7.htm and
http://members.iglou.com/brosen/page8.htm They they are just
as easy to grow (from seed) as the single Hollyhocks.* I
usually start the seeds in the early fall.* That way they
get a good start and usually bloom by July.
--
Bill R.***** (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)
*

Bill* -* they're lovely.
That's what we were hoping for.
So........................mabe next year is the right attitude eh ?

Ma
*
*

Blues Ma expounded:

Jenny wrote:

Another question from a neophyte perennial gardener.

I planted five hollyhock roots early this spring when I knew nothing about
perennials. They are in a spot that is almost full sun, but the soil they
are in is much sandier than the rest of the garden. I think some builder's
sand was dumped in that area for drainage. We didn't improve the soil at the
time we planted them, mostly out of stupidity.* They* have come up as little
bushes of leaves, not more than a foot high.* There is no sign of any flower
spikes.

Where did you get them ?
I planted six from Kelly Nurseries -* or Burgess* - and they are exactly the
same
as* you describe.** They are along a stockade fence, in very good soil.
I was hoping for the tall product that is usually planted along tall fences.
Didn't expect little bushy things.

I've never grown these before so I don't know if their small size and lack
of spikes is a sign that the soil was too poor to support them or because
they aren't supposed to flower this year.

Maybe we have the 'wait till next year' variety ?*** I am a Cubs fan as well.

Ma

Hollyhocks are mostly biennial, grow first year, flower the second.
But then mine flower for a few more years before they die off,
replaced with their own babies. Give them time, you'll be pleased!

--
Ann, Gardening in zone 6a
Just south of Boston, MA
********************************

Blues Ma wrote:

Bill* - they're lovely.
That's what we were hoping for.
So........................mabe next year is the right attitude eh ?

Ma



Yes, just give them time. As I mentioned in the other post
they MAY still bloom this year. In my area we still have
over three months left of the growing season.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Digital Camera: HP PhotoSmart 850

For pictures of my garden flowers visit
http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Remove NO_WEEDS_ in e-mail address to reply by e-mail

Bill R wrote in message ...
as you do with your other plants.

I have grown Hollyhocks for about 20 years and in the last
few I have switched to the double (Chatter's double)
Hollyhocks. I have picture of them on my web site,
http://members.iglou.com/brosen/page7.htm and
http://members.iglou.com/brosen/page8.htm They they are just
as easy to grow (from seed) as the single Hollyhocks. I
usually start the seeds in the early fall. That way they
get a good start and usually bloom by July.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)


just took a tour of your garden. beautiful!!! thanks for postig the URL..

lee h

Bill R wrote in message ...
Jenny wrote:
Another question from a neophyte perennial gardener.

I planted five hollyhock roots early this spring when I knew nothing about
perennials. ....
Jenny,

Hollyhocks sometimes don't bloom until their second season.
Yours may still bloom this season but if they don't just
leave them where they are and they will bloom next year.
Hollyhocks don't require much care. Just feed them every
couple of weeks as you do with your other plants.
Jim, I forgot to ask while ago as got waysided looking at your lovely
pics, but aren't Hollyhocks biennials? I forget.
lee h

Lee wrote:
Bill R wrote in message ...

Jenny wrote:

Another question from a neophyte perennial gardener.

I planted five hollyhock roots early this spring when I knew nothing about
perennials. ....

Jenny,

Hollyhocks sometimes don't bloom until their second season.
Yours may still bloom this season but if they don't just
leave them where they are and they will bloom next year.
Hollyhocks don't require much care. Just feed them every
couple of weeks as you do with your other plants.

Bill, I forgot to ask while ago as got waysided looking at your lovely
pics, but aren't Hollyhocks biennials? I forget.
lee h


Lee,

Yes they are but they re-seed quite easily. I have noticed
that a lot of places are advertising them as perennials
which really isn't correct.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Digital Camera: HP PhotoSmart 850

For pictures of my garden flowers visit
http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Remove NO_WEEDS_ in e-mail address to reply by e-mail