Holly Hocks

Let's talk Holly Hocks.  Holly Hocks are a pretty easy flowers to grow, meaning requiring minimal care.  This is a perennial (they come back year after year), but they are a short lived perennial, probably 2-3 years and you may have to replace them.  Now that is not always the case, they will last longer if you ensure they have good soil and the flowers are are cut once they start to look sad.  In the late fall I usually cut the stalk to about 1/2 inch from the ground.  I like to keep a bit of stalk showing in the fall so I don't accidentally dig it up.

Starting Holly Hocks- well as you know living in the Kamas Valley of Utah, we can't plant much until after the last frost, which I mentioned before is usually around Father's Day.  I would suggest growing them inside and plant after the last frost. 

The Holly Hock plant kind of looks like a Zucchini Squash plant at first with big green leaves.  They really kick in the growth spurt around mid August.  Now while the Holly Hock enjoys sun bathing, it does not fair well in HOT weather, such as we experienced this summer.

Miss Holly also enjoys moist soil and to be watered from the base up.  I like to give her some, what I call Magic Potion- (Fertilizer), about every 2-3 weeks. 

When Fertilizing there are many varieties to choose from in any store you visit that has a garden section.  I have found the Miracle Gro Liquiafeed is one of the easiest to use and really not too expensive.  I bought the handy applicator which hooks onto your hose, and the refill bottle hooks onto the applicator.  No mixing, just turn the water on and go.  Check out this web site for pictures.   Scott's Miracle Gro and Hose Feeder

(the refill bottles can be recycled but not refilled)

If you are thinking of Miracle Gro  next year, as the season for us is about to come to an end, watch your sales, the average price for the refill pack of 4, runs around 11-12 dollars.  Home Depot and Wal-mart both carry it.  If you frequent Costco, Stock up on it, the have good prices, but only carry it until the stock runs out.

Home Depot

When you trim the Holly Hock flowers, keep the seeds, let them dry through the winter, and then around February-March start them inside, and by June they will be nice green plants ready for your flower garden.

I usually give them 18-24 inches apart, as they will fan out and grow really tall.  If you can, plant them in a place that will be protected somewhat from the wind.  Sometimes the July winds can be vicious to our Holly Girl.

This one is my favorite, they are great container plants to spruce up your house or deck in the summer.