If you’re looking to add some serious height and charm to your garden, planting hollyhocks is the way to go! To get those iconic, towering blooms, you just need to nail the timing and pick the perfect spot. Here are my go-to tips to give your hollyhocks the best head start possible so you can enjoy their beauty all summer long.
What to Keep in Mind Before You Start
I’ll be honest: hollyhocks can be a little needy when they’re just starting out. But once they’ve settled into the right spot and established themselves, they’re actually incredibly hardy. One of the best things about them is that they love to self-seed, meaning they’ll often keep the party going year after year on their own. Plus, the hollyhock blooming season lasts for a long time, giving you plenty of color to enjoy.
Before you get digging, you’ll need to decide how you’re getting your plants. If you already have some in your yard, you can easily transplant the little volunteers that sprout up from fallen seeds. Otherwise, you can buy established plants at a nursery or start them from seed yourself. Just pick whichever method works best for your gardening style!
When is the Best Time to Plant?
If you’ve been starting your seeds indoors in pots over the winter, you’ll want to wait until after the last frost—usually around mid-May—to move them outside. A word of caution, though: plants started in a cozy, warm house aren’t always as winter-hardy as those grown outdoors from the start.
If you prefer to sow your seeds directly in the garden, patience is key. When you plant hollyhock seeds in the spring, they’ll spend their first year growing a lush clump of leaves but won’t produce flowers yet. You can move these young plants to their “forever home” in September, and that’s where they’ll finally show off those gorgeous blooms the following summer.
How to Plant Your Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are hungry plants! They thrive in soil that’s rich in nutrients, so keep that in mind when picking a spot. If your soil is a bit thin, don’t worry—you can always mix in some fertilizer. You’ll also want a spot that gets plenty of sun and is protected from the wind. If your yard is a bit breezy, it’s a good idea to give them a wooden stake for support so they don’t topple over.
The Perfect Location Checklist:
- Nutrient-rich soil
- Plenty of direct sunlight
- A spot sheltered from the wind
When you’re ready to plant, dig a hole large enough for the root ball to sit comfortably. If you’re planting a row of them, space them about 15 inches (40 cm) apart. Loosen up the soil at the bottom of the hole and mix in some compost or humus. Place your hollyhock in the hole, fill it back up with soil, and give it a good drink of water. Make sure to keep them well-watered for the first two weeks, but be careful not to let the soil get soggy or waterlogged!
