Old Barnyard Hollyhock Mix Image

Old Barnyard Mix Hollyhock

Description

They'll reseed for years, giving you more color every season

Dug out of an old Vermont barnyard many years ago and carefully crossed and re-crossed for bigger, bolder blooms (and to eliminate rust, the enemy of Hollyhocks everywhere), this delightful Old Barnyard Hollyhock Mix captures the joy of the old-fashioned cottage garden. These blooms look like Grandma's might have: single-flowered in dark, rich colors you just can't find in today's newer varieties.

Each bloom is 3 to 5 inches wide, with a bold yellow center and an absolutely dazzling color—brights and pastels as well as deep jewel tones. They arise most heavily in early summer on thick, sturdy 4- to 6-foot stems, attracting hummingbirds by the dozen. It is especially attractive to Checkered Skippers and the Common Hairstreak, acting as a host plant where they lay their eggs. In the north, the blooms may well continue all season. Stake Old Barnyard Hollyhock Mix to support the long, bloom-filled stalks, or let them lean against a building or other support. (In the olden days, Hollyhocks were traditionally grown against the sunny side of the barn, where they flourished in all the manure and muck.)

Be sure to leave the last blooms on the plant even after the petals fall, for they will do your reseeding for you, and you'll be rewarded with plenty of new plants come spring.

Space Old Barnyard Hollyhock plants 2 feet apart in sun to part shade in fertile, moist soil. Hollyhocks like a good feed, so you might want to top-dress with cow manure (home cooking to the Old Barnyard Mix) to really get them growing. They are not long-lived, so let the new plants come up each spring to be assured of plentiful, ever-increasing color.

Details

Skip Product Specs
Genus Alcea
Species rosea
Variety Old Barnyard Mix
Zone 3 - 9
Bloom Start To End Early Summer - Mid Summer
Habit Upright
Plant Height 4 ft - 6 ft
Plant Width 24 in
Bloom Size 3 in - 5 in
Additional Characteristics Flower, Repeat Bloomer, Hummingbird Lovers
Bloom Color Mix
Light Requirements Full Sun, Part Shade
Moisture Requirements Moist,  well-drained
Resistance Rust
Soil Tolerance Normal,  loamy
Uses Beds, Ornamental, Cut Flowers, Outdoor, Border
Restrictions *Due to state restrictions we cannot ship to the following:
Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Texas, Utah

Product Review Summary

Based on 2 reviews
The average rating for this product is 5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0

Customer Reviews

April 12, 2016

Persistence pays off (I hope)

This shopper rated the product 5 out of 5 stars

I bought this one fall of 2014, and over wintered indoors, planted out in spring. I think I planted in too much shade, as she put on nice big foliage, but no bloom spikes. I figured I'd lose her over the winter of 2015, since there were no flowers to reseed. I covered in late fall with compost, light cedar mulch, and let the fallen leaves stay in the bed. Much to my surprise, that lovely foliage has popped up and started a healthy plant again spring 2016. I've just moved her to a full sun spot, composted, and we'll see if she's happier/flowers this year. Will update on progress :)

Babs, Newport, RI from RI
April 23, 2012

The best hollyhock you will find!

This shopper rated the product 5 out of 5 stars

Bought a few lof these last summer. Plants are very healthy, and already forming buds to my surprise! Foliage is big and chartreuse green in colour. I have several hollyhocks that I purchased from other nurseries and they still under 20'' and the ones I bought from Park Seed-are over 1'

S. V. from NC

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