Spectacular Hollyhocks

Glorious magenta

Those glorious six-foot-tall magenta hollyhocks you see in our home page video really are as luscious as they look. This year, they put on a spectacular show from mid-June through the end of July.

It all began with a single seedling, a gift from my friend Nancy. Since then, the hollyhocks have happily reseeded themselves year after year, gradually becoming a much-loved part of the Studio Ceta garden. This summer may have been their best performance yet.

Seeds to share

I’ve collected seeds from this year’s flowers and would be happy to share them. If you’d like to try growing a little piece of Studio Ceta in your own garden, send me a message.

In mild coastal climates, the seeds can be sown now through mid-September. Mine self-seed naturally, giving the young plants time to establish before the cool, wet winter arrives. They look a little bedraggled through the darker months, but as soon as the spring days lengthen, they’re off and growing again.

In colder climates, start the seeds in pots in early spring and transplant outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.

Unfortunately, we’re unable to send seeds outside Canada.