This year, the hollyhocks in our garden have grown taller than I’ve ever seen them before. They are various shades of pale and dark pink, red, and white. I’d never noticed how the buds have five-pointed stars that translate to the centre of the open flower before. They are so beautiful.
Isobel (and Cat)'s Blog 
Love hollyhocks. A real old English garden plant.
Oh wow, beautiful Isobel, reminds me of cottage gardens.
Yes me too. There’s something very restful about them, and I love the way their buds unfurl. I must remember to take some more pix.
I wonder if the performance of plants this year is linked in some way to the bad winter? I’ve got quite a few that look like they are flowering better this year than ever before.
Hollyhocks are very traditional.
I love hollyhocks, but they are hard to grow in the dry and desert-y California climate.
If you’re in London again soon you can see ours. 🙂
They are a lovely reminder of cool, green English gardens. Just finished watering their warmer weather cousins, the hibiscuses. Fingers crossed for rain.
Hi Sue
We have had lots of rain over the last few days, but I think it’s still drought conditions in the south east with lots of dry rivers. Scary.