Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) Memories

When I see a Hollyhock it reminds me of my Grandma Minnie who made a doll fashioned from a bloom.  I became curious if I just remembered this as a fiction or it was a real thing.  So I did an Internet search on "Hollyhock dolls" of course, and there are videos on how to make them, images, and tutorials.  I'm not the only one who has such memories.  

I've been trying to grow hollyhocks in my vegetable garden for several years with a few failed attempts.  But last year I bought a plant, this spring it came back and has put forth at least 6 feet of growth and many flowers.  

Hollyhocks are an old fashioned cottage garden plant that provide visual height to your garden.  They are considered either biannual or a short-lived perennial. They need full sun and rich, moist soil.  I have my growing in a spot that receives about 6 hours of sunlight a day.  My plant has now been blooming for over 6 weeks and shows no signs of quitting.  Leaving the flowers to seed will help ensure plants for future years as hollyhocks are self-seeders.   Another option is to cut it back to the base after blooms have faded to have it come back for 2-3 years.

I'm hoping that mine will come back next year. ​