All gardeners are familiar with tall single althaea , which can be used so effectively to screen an unworthy vista or break the abrasive line of a bare wall . But few realize that the undivided miscellanea has an even rich , more stately relative — the double hollyhock .
Unlike the individual with its rather rank growth and coarse , somewhat untempting foliage , reach it undesirable except in a largeperennial border , the double variety uprise into a compact , clean-living - slash plant with attractive blueish - dark-green leaf . From the crown of the plant rise as many as a dozen 4- to 6 - foot flush spikes , birth all along their length very double , carnation - like flowers in a myriad of scrumptious colour set out all the way from snowy white through buff , apricot , pinkish , uprise , bright redness and maroon , to an almost dark hue .
Many of the blossoms measure as much as 4 inches across and are so fully double as to give an impression of considerable depth . The flowers open in succession from the bottom to the top of the chaff , but the single blooms last so well that by the metre the buds at the summit are bust , the first flowers are still attractive .
The two-fold hollyhock , in addition to give accent mark of color to the recurrent border for the first two to three weeks in July when the delphinium , columbine , and iris have depart by and before phlox comes into bloom , can also sum up a trace of color to the livelihood room as a tall bouquet , or seemliness to the dining board in a watch glass bowl arranging with floating blossoms . The clever person who likes to experiment with making her corsage can fasten several of the blooms together into a charming decoration for her clothes or hair . Many wish will be hers for her original world .
threefold althea are as easily grown as ace . Although they are usually listed as perennials , they will follow best if raised as biennial . plant can be purchase from many greenhouse for setting into theperennial bordereither in the capitulation or spring . Or they can be enkindle from germ with little difficulty . Seeds should be .sown in a well disposed bedin May and June . If the soil is kept moist , germination will be rapid , within five to ten days . The seedlings should be thinned out till they are 6 inches to a foot asunder . This will give sufficient room for hefty plant with good base systems to develop .
If the seed is sown sparingly in the row , a piddling thinning will be necessary . germ can be sown straight off in the mete in open spaces where the seedlings will not be shadow . To establish a row along a wall or fencing , inseminate the seed in hill a foot apart . Sow fiveseeds to each hill and thin to the strongest industrial plant .
In late August or former September , following a inebriate rain , the flora in cum bed should be moved to their lasting ; placement . If each seedling is comprehend with a dependable globe of earth and reset cautiously , little ill consequence from the transplant will be acknowledge .
Double hollyhock grow best in deep , rich , well - drained soil in a sunny location sheltered from secure wind . Because of their height , they should be set at the buttocks of the prime perimeter . Allow at least two straight feet of garden to a flora if potential . In areas where winters are severe , some protective mulch such as peatmoss , leave , or evergreen boughs will help prevent serious trauma from frost heaving .
Hollyhock pestis are of picayune aftermath except for rust fungus , which can be annihilative in a moist summertime . The only methods of ascendancy , and these are not very acceptable , are to pick off and burn any septic leafage as soon as it appears and to keep the remaining leave , particularly the lower surfaces , disperse with S . Occasionally the plants may be infested with aphids . Good spraying or dusting with a contact insect powder will get rid of them in brusque order . In certain region , the Nipponese mallet may be bothersome . Hand picking is the most effective remedy .
If the gardener keeps in mind these few simple ethnic pattern , you will be fully rewarded by growing vigorous dual hollyhocks which will receive the attention and wonderment of all those who visit your garden .
twofold althea for Your Perennial Border by J. LOWE
