Alcea rosea
My lack of garden note-taking sometimes rankles. These are some of the hollyhocks that are blooming now. I planted them from seed LAST year, and it is this year that they bloom: they’re true biennials. Did I remember that they are doubles? NO. I saw the first one bloom and I kind of cringed, “doubles, drat.” Then the second flower came out and you know what? They’re rather pretty. And when they fall, it’s like a milliner’s store-worth of Easter bonnets on the ground. Not bad.
Glad you came to visit!
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fast grow the weeds 
Gorgeous. Take another look through fresh eyes: GORGEOUS!
I LIKE the doubles. I also like the singles. I like hollyhocks.
And there is no amount of “enough” in garden note taking. I am CONTINUALLY surprised by things that are not (or should not be) surprising.
Beautiful photos.
They are gorgeous. And they make very fancy little skirt for gardeny type dolls for a certain little girl to play with.
Lovely photos.
I like the doubles.
{And when they fall, it’s like a milliner’s store-worth of Easter bonnets on the ground.}
Nice bit of imagery there, El! Great hollyhocks.
I love the doubles, I think there’s something special about them. I need to make a note to myself to plant some seeds. Can I wait for two years though? I think not.
I guess I am just a purist at heart. Doubles in something simple like hollyhocks smacks of “lots of messing” to me.
Hank, I know I am not alone with the surprises. It’s a good thing.
M, great idea! Too bad she doesn’t much care for dolls.
Tami, thanks!
Lostroses, aw, shucks. I was grasping there.
Marie, sometimes I have had to wait three seasons for them to bloom. Not that I mind at all.