Planted black hollyhock in spring. Nice healthy plant, yet never went vertical. What can I do? Right next to 2 nice healthy foxgloves that also did not bloom. What can I do?
Hollyhocks are actually a biennial. They may not bloom every year.
Plants grown from bare roots are more reliable in blooming.
Over fertilizing with too high of nitrogen can also inhibit flowering.
You can try an application of phosphorous, with Bone Meal to promote flowering.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/foxglove/foxglove-flowers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/bone-meal-fertilizer.htm
My hollyhock plants have not produced any stalks or flowers this summer (new plants from local garden center). Any suggestions on what is wrong?
Holly Hocks are thought of as a perennial, but they really are a Biennial.
You may only see blooms every other year.
With that said, you may also have to much Nitrogen in the soil for flower production.
You can add Phosphorous to the soil which will encourage blooming. Bone Meal is good way to do this.
Here are a few links for you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/bone-meal-fertilizer.htm
I purchased 11 hollyhock plants from a very reputable garden center in the spring of this year. They grew beautifully for the fist month or so. They grew the pods up the stem like they were supposed to, but the pods never opened. They continue to grow and are very tall and pretty, but minus any flowers. We treated the soil as they suggested, and they get plenty of sun/shade and are not planted close to each other, about 12-18 inches apart. I LOVE them, but am curious if this is what they do the first year. As I said, I had beautiful blossoms all the way up the stem for the first month or two. Any suggestions would really be appreciated. I live in Michigan, just north a few miles from Grand Rapids on the west side of the state. I plan to cut them to the ground in the fall. Thank you for your time! I hope you can advise me because I have loved this plant since I was a child. My mom had them for years. Unfortunately, she isn't here to help!
You likely have a biennial hollyhock. It germinates the first year but will not flower till the next. Leave the pods until they crack open then clip them (you can leave some to self seed if you would like) remove the seeds and keep them in a baggie until spring.
Is it too late to direct sow hollyhock seeds in my area of Western NY? We are in Zone 4a or 4b. Thank you, Norma Lyon
I don't think so, as long as you can get them into unfrozen ground they should do fine.
A friend has hollyhocks just now growing can they be saved for next year and how? The hollyhocks just now are about 8" tall, not sure why they just now started to grow. If I want to save the plant for next year, what do I do?
If the plants bloom and produce seed, the seed can be saved for planting.
Hollyhocks will naturally die off in late fall and will grow back from the roots and seeds.
You cannot dig these plants up and winter over.
Here are some links for with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/winterizing-hollyhock-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htm
What do I do with hollyhocks in winter? Cut back? How far? Just lower leaves? Any advice welcome.
The care of your plants can vary depending on your growing zone.
This article will help you.
Seeds can be saved from the Hollyhocks or you can even just scatter them on the ground if you want your plants to reseed.
I have just bought bare root hollyhocks, but weather is frosty cold and wet now. Shall I store these bare roots (how?) or shall I plant our despite weather? I am in West of Scotland. Thank you for any help or tips - much appreciated.
Bare roots can be planted in spring or fall, though if you have severe winters, spring planting is preferred.
Long term storage of the bare roots will not likely be successful.
I would go ahead and plant them out and hope for the best.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/planting-hollyhock-roots.htm