Can you grow 6’ tall hollyhocks in pots?

happycottontail

I have just bought 3 Hollyhocks in the Halo series from Harlow Carr Garden Centre, planning to plant them in pots against a cream coloured south facing wall of my house. When going online after getting home, the first thing I read about planting hollyhocks on the RHS website was that they weren’t suitable for planting in pots!  I really don’t have any alternative as my borders either receive very little sun or those that do have no space for more plants. 

I would like to hear from anyone who has successfully grown 6’ tall hollyhocks in pots. How big were the pots and what tips can you give me about the compost that suits them best. Any other advice would be most welcome!
Thank you for your time.
happycottontail

BenCotto

My hollyhocks happily self seed into a crumbling tarmac pavement and also into the minuscule gap between the tarmac and the brick wall. If they can cope with that I can’t see why they couldn’t cope with a pot.

A Google image search of ‘hollyhocks in pots’ suggests your idea is feasible.

happycottontail

Thank you Ben, that’s very encouraging!

happycottontail

I am still hoping for some advice from people who have actually grown 6’ tall hollyhocks in pots!!

debs64

I grow lots in pots including a silver birch tree so pretty sure hollyhocks will be fine. Plenty of food and drink in the biggest pots you can get and if the other conditions are good they will be happy. Good luck 

happycottontail

Thank you debs64. That’s very helpful. 

Jacquimcmahon

I don’t think mine made 6feet but I’m 5’2 and they were at least that high....and yes they are in pots. I also grow delphinium and tall campanulas all in pots. I would say they need feeding and be in a deep pot, not necessarily too wide unless you want to underplant. I have some trailing plants around some of the edges of my pots to soften the edges. I’ll look to see if I have photos from last year.

happycottontail

Thank you Jacqui, l would love to see some photos if you have any. 

Blue Onion

They have a deep tap root (or big thick roots, going down) so make sure you have tall deep pots.  Assuming conditions are met, I expect they would be happy enough.  

happycottontail

Thank you Blue Onion. Can you give me an idea of how tall the pots should be?

LG_

BenCotto said:

My hollyhocks happily self seed into a crumbling tarmac pavement and also into the minuscule gap between the tarmac and the brick wall. If they can cope with that I can’t see why they couldn’t cope with a pot.

Same here.