SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
Surface to 1/8". Press in lightly.
Sprout Time:
13-25 days after chill
Starting Indoors:
Sow indoors in pots in January or early February. Keep at 35-40°F for 10 days, then at 65-70°F. Provide moist conditions by placing a humidity dome over the containers until germination occurs.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow in late spring to summer for flowers the following year. Sowing early indoors will produce flowering plants in summer and fall.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
This cottage garden favorite blooms in a seemingly never ending display, for the large saucer-shaped flowers open in succession from the bottom up. Providing a strong vertical accent in gardens, they look great supported by a picket fence or against a shed. Stake if growing in windy areas and space well apart to increase air circulation and avoid disease. Not tolerant of saturated wet soils, especially in winter. Self-sows.
Watering Details:
1" a week. Drought tolerant once established due to its tap-rooted nature.
Fertilizer:
Mix in 2" of compost before planting.
Diseases & Pests:
Avoid fungal rust problems by spacing plants properly and planting them in a location that receives good air flow. If hollyhock rust has ever been a problem spray with organic fungicide preventively throughout the season or plant in a new location. If slugs are troublesome to new seedlings sprinkle some diatomaceous earth or iron phosphate pellets on the ground around the plants.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
Harvest when 1/3 of flowers are open.
