Hollyhocks anomalous

This Alcea ficifolia (fig or "Antwerp" hollyhock) began blooming around the autumnal equinox, from seed sown directly into the ground in late spring. The promise of the unopened buds at the top will go unfulfilled; temperatures are set to plunge into single digit range tonight. Biennial or perennial? Hortus Third says: "Described by Linnaeus as having palmately compound lvs., but the identity of the sp. has not been established with any certainty. Plants offered under this name may be forms of A. rosea with yellowish fls. and deeply lobed lvs., or A. rugosa." Rosea's biennial, rugosa's perennial; who knows? I'll anxiously await the return of its deep pink and garnet red blooms.

Comments

[Robert the Llama Butcher]

Very nice. In fact, one of my favorites.

My own HH's, in their second year, vigorously self-seeded this year. Alas, the bloody deer managed to crop most of the young 'uns. We'll see what happens in the spring.