Friday, August 7, 2009

Hollyhocks in the Cottage Garden


There's not many flowers that represent the Cottage garden look to me more than Hollyhocks. They are a personal favorite of mine, because my Mother and Grandmother both grew them.






I love the color on this one....the closest to red I've seen on a Hollyhock.






I don't remember planting it in this spot, so it must be a volunteer. Volunteers are always welcomed in my garden. :-)





Echinacea 'Magnus' (which I did plant) is in the foreground of the Hollyhock, and makes for a pleasing combination, with it's reddish central cones echoing the red tones of the Hollyhock.







A wider view of this particular grouping of flowers includes pink Mallow, a white Hollyhock, and some volunteer Black Eyed Susans. Don't you just love how unplanned combinations can sometimes turn out to be the prettiest?




22 comments:

Chelle said...

Oh my, those are such pretty alate summer groupings in your garden. And hollyhocks remind me of my Mother and Grandmother too! ;)Fancy that.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Sometimes the unplanned combinations turn out to be some of the best. My hollyhocks are finished and I already miss them. I love the color of yours.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I love the color on the hollyhock! So pretty!

Chris said...

Very pretty. I know my hubby will enjoy those pictures too :)

sweetbay said...

Those hollyhocks are beautiful. Their petals look like crinkled silk. I also love the combination you pictured! It's wonderful.

sweetbay said...

Hi Connie, you asked about the Hibiscus.. the H. moscheutos seem to need sun until 2 or 3 pm, or afternoon sun. H. coccineus, which is very tall and skinny and has smaller flowers, can actually take a lot of shade. I have some that only get sun until 1pm and they're very happy.

Petunia's Gardener said...

Beautiful! Love the poppies in the earlier post, also. One of the Seattle Gardeners (SAGBUTT) gave me a hollyhock last month. I'm looking forward to the blossoms now. Paula

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I love your hollyhocks and the unplanned combinations are a delight.

FlowerLady

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Stop the presses and dial 911 girlfriend. You have it. It must be an epidemic of the illness I have tried to overcome for years. I call it OCFD ( obsessive compulsive flower disorder). Loved your pictures and definitively share your love of a good bloom. Have yourself a colorful weekend. I'm off to deadhead.

Unknown said...

I love hollyhocks, and there's a running joke about my inability to get the yellow ones (my favourites) to bloom. People give me seeds from yellow ones and I still end up with pink, or wine, or white...it's hilarious!

Victoria Williams said...

Connie, that last pic is just gorgeous! Very nice combo, and you're right, so much appreciated when it happens all on its own.

ChrisJ said...

Lovely garden flowers. Hollyhocks especially.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I agree, nothing gives a garden a more cottage or old fashioned feel than hollyhock. I can't grow it here but wish I could.
Marnie

O.I.M said...

the flowers are lovely as individuals and especially lovely in your unplanned grouping.
irena

Beth said...

Hi Connie: Are the hollyhocks tough to grow?!?!? I bet they would need to be staked with our kind of wind ...

Connie said...

Beth - My Mom grew unstaked Hollyhocks all around the outside of our house on the northwest N.Dak. prairie, where the wind is always blowing. They didn't grow as tall there as they do for me here. They are a tough plant, with their only weakness being that they are prone to rust.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I have spent many days sitting watching you take care of your garden, I enjoy that as much as your garden...........let me remind you one more time, that you make the garden look extra special by enjoying it and caring for it! Like I've said before, "you are the most beautiful flower in your garden"!
Steve

Teresa said...

Hollyhocks are great and the color of yours is just beautiful!

Kathleen said...

So pretty Connie. I don't have any of the singles anymore ~ I decided a while back I liked the doubles better. But now, I'm not sure, these are so nice! Love your garden combination too. It beautiful whether its all planned or not.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

I love the color of your hollyhocks! Mine are pale and faded compared to yours. Great shots.

Anonymous said...

Your cottage garden is just beautiful. And I thin it is so nice to have things your mom and grandmom had.