Whether you call them "Stoktroos" or "Hollyhock", the Alcea is a lovely flowering plant that punctuates the theme of your garden. It goes in virtually every sort, from the cottage garden to the finely manicured back yard with impressive plots and borders arranged at thought-out strategic locations. Here in my garden the prolonged hot and dry spell has forced the hand of a number of the flowers in the garden. The Alceas were some of the most sensitive to this natural forcing. Without any moisture for an extended time period, combined with the constant cloudless exposure to the sun, I think that these plants got a message that they should stop growing vertically and start opening their buds for fertilization so that they could begin producing seeds--and realize their summertime function. I have had to keep a close eye on my onions, lettuce and spinach so that they didn't shoot-through. It is apparent that the same thing happens to some of the plants in the flower garden. The Alceas are not nearly as tall as usual and are blooming like mad. Well, here are some of the bloomers that have been showing their lovely faces in the garden lately. This white one with greenish-yellow eyes looks attractive even in the shade. This contrastingly dark red specimen is situated directly in the middle of the garden. A closer look at the dark red one. There are alot of pinky ones this year and these are a good example. This bashful thing peeking out from behind one of it;s leaves seemed so shy in the shade of the Buddleja. The white and purple one was a blow-in. The foto doesn't show the purple eye very well, but in real life,it is most certainly purple.. I have been looking for a solid purple one for ages, but I haven't found one here yet. The Alceas are a real favourite of the bumblebee. I see some honey bees attempting to get into these flowers, but not many. The bumble bees become covered with pollen easily, and this guy is taking a break to clean himself and place the pollen balls in the depressions on the back legs. You can see all the enormous amount of pollen all over the leaves surrounding the bee. You can see several types over near the arches. I let this plant stay growing up at the base of the Buddleja because I found its flowers went well with the Buddleja's flowers. I have several plants that exhibit varying shades of yellow this year. Another group of Alceas in the garden. Once these plants get going, they almost dominate the flower garden with their mixed palate of pastels and hard flower tones. These flashy hard pink ones with yellow eyes certainly ask for my attention. They make me feel sort of romantic. I can say that I have never met an Alcea that I didn't like. They just keep on performing each year with more and more colour variations. Their habitus and colours just put me in a good mood when I see their colourful numbers punctuating the garden.
So beautiful Sjoerd. It's amazing how the color changes the character of the bloom. It would be hard to pick a favorite...I am partial to the pinks , the pale pink looks so delicate and the hot pink is sassy . But the dark red is a stunning and dramatic.
Really lovely Sjoerd. Like Netty I find it hard to pick a favourite as they are all so beautiful. I do love the dark red and the blow-in white and purple one, the pure white and .... well as I said it's hard to pick a favourite!!
I lvoe them all and especially like to see how beautiful they look beside other flowers. Very lovely. And I was going to comment on seeing all of the pollen so the bee covered in it was a good surprise. Really beautiful photos of your really beautiful flowers.
I really am a loss for words on this one Sjoerd.There is not enough words in my vocabulary to describe how beautiful all your plants are.I will be looking for that dark red one and many of the others.Your garden always amazes me but this time I am flabergasies (sp)me completely.
Stunning Hollyhocks and stunning pics Sjoerd. So sharp and clear, you have an artists eye. I have struggled to get them established in my garden, but this year I have a few, so fingers crossed they will seed with gay abandon and make themselves at home. Like everyone else, I can't choose a fave, they are all far to glamourous and sexy.
Thank you GAIL--I have trouble picking a fav too, when it comes to hollyhocks. Hahaha...You are funny, EILEEN. Thanks STRATSMOM. Muchas gracias, Miss Daisy--I agree that they look nice beside or in the middle of other flowers. Thank you for such nice compliments. Thank you KILDALE--Glad you liked the looks of the garden. I appreciate your nice words, CHERYL--I spend every available moment there myself. GLENDA--you say the nicest things about my flowers and garden. I´m just pleased that you like the looks of it. Thanks EJ--I can´t figure out why you are struggling to get hollyhocs tpo take in your garden. I would think that your soil would be ideal for it. I hope that the ones that you have will self-seed too. Let me know if you need ever some fresh stock.
