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Hollyhocks tips?

roisin897roisin897 Posts: 32
in Plants
Great success this year growing hollyhocks from seed: LOADS of great sturdy plants, mostly around 2m tall, supporting themselves in some fairly sheltered spots and looking fabulous... 
Then we had 40mph winds yesterday and lots of them have fallen over. So I've now done a Heath Robinson job with whatever canes and sticks I have around the place, which looks a bit of a mess.

Q1: How do you support yours? I am thinking shorter, sturdy canes, maybe c.1m above the ground, put in at an earlier stage might be best?

Q2: some have lovely side shoots too. Should I have pinched out the growing shoots early on to encourage this (as you would with annuals)?

Q3: I want to encourage them: will I regret it if I leave on ALL the seed pods to self seed around the place?

Q4: Any tips for end of season care?



Age doesn't make you forgetful. Having way too many stupid things to remember makes you forgetful.

Posts

  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,727
    I grew White ones from seed last year, and despite all the first aid they were ruined by rust,in the end I just had to cut them down,as they were virtually leafless. Such a shame as the flowers were so pretty,and so tall.
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • sarinkasarinka Posts: 270
    I stake mine with 4ft or 5ft bamboo canes. It seems to be enough, but mine are in the least windy part of my garden. 

    Self seeding is lovely, but I think I prefer to plant mine in designated spots as the foliage can take up a bit of space, and I want to leave a bit of room around them to hopefully delay the onset of rust. That said, my neighbour's disused front garden is entirely self seeded hollies, and they have looked wonderful this summer.
  • roisin897roisin897 Posts: 32
    Thank you both.
    Age doesn't make you forgetful. Having way too many stupid things to remember makes you forgetful.
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