Topic: Is this really a Hollyhock? [Solved] YES... Double Hollyhock

[Patty S]

A plant appeared in my veggie garden last year & I thought it was a watermelon, cuz it was right there where my plant marker said so!   It turned out to be a Hollyhock.

The first flower just opened, & it sure doesn't look like the Hollyhocks that I remember from my Mom's garden when I was a kid. (I got in trouble more than once by picking the flowers & making ballerinas out of them... I'd fold the petals down so the stamen stood tall, & twirled it around.)  
     

This one is pretty enough, but it doesn't have ballerina flowers.   (What happened to NORMAL Hollyhocks?)

[patches]

I agree, Patty, it sure doesn't look like any of the Hollyhocks I remember as a child.    It's beautiful.       

[barleychown]

That is a double hollyhock. Very pretty!

[Patty S]

Thanx, Sarah. I don't think I've ever seen a "double hollyhock" before... or didn't realize what I was looking at. 

I'm actually surprised that it bloomed at all, cuz less than a week ago, I dug it out of my veggie garden & replanted it at the other side of the house.  (The neighbor cut her hedge way back, so there is full sun there now.)  I must have managed the move just right, cuz the Hollyhock didn't even flinch!  

I think I'll work on getting one of the old traditional "ballerina" types going, since the deer can't get in to that fenced area.  (I supppose they're called "singles".)

Anyone have seeds for those?