WHICH SUMMER BLOOMS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?

THIS or THAT: HOLLYHOCK VS. ROSE OF SHARON

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HABIT: A mass of leaves forms at the base of the plant in its first year from seed. In year two, flowering stems rise above the foliage mound, stretching as high as 8 feet on some cultivars.

BLOOMS: Round flower buds alternate up the stems and open from bottom to top, revealing 4- to 5-inch-wide, single- or double-petaled flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, red or near black.

LEAVES: Light fuzz covers hollyhock’s heart-shaped leaves, which can reach 8 inches long and wide. Leaves diminish in size and number toward the top of the plant.

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

A mainstay of traditional cottage gardens, the hollyhock calls to mind storybook illustrations. These plants may be biennials or short-lived perennials, but they reseed to repeat their June-through-August bloom for many years.

WHERE IT WORKS BEST Hollyhocks grow tall, typically reaching 5 to 8 feet - in fact, they were often used to screen outhouses prior to indoor plumbing. Today, they shine in mixed flower beds, where their shape contrasts with low, mounding annuals and perennials. They can still be planted to hide structures like fences and sheds, and now you can also find shorter cultivars for containers.