When do I plant holly hock seeds? In the spring or the fall?

Answer 1

Hollyhocks are biennial. You can plant the seed either in the spring or fall but late summer or early fall is probably best, since that is when they produce seed. Planting then will mean that the plants will flower the next year. If you plant in the spring, they would flower in the following year. They are quite hardy and certainly survive British winters regularly.

I just checked the Zone maps. Britain appears to be Zone 8 (which surprised me - I was expecting us to be closer to Michigan, or Zone 5, but our winters are not generally so cold, it seems). It would be worth trying to sow both in the fall and the early spring under glass.

This is a British website, but the instructions are pretty universal, of course: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/3868.shtml

Answer 2

Here in Zone 4, Hollyhock seed are best planted in early summer. They will grow vegetatively (no flowers) the first year, and will flower the following year. You must then allow the seeds to fall for the following year's vegetative plants. If you plant seeds two years in a row, you will be assured of always having both the flowering generation (2nd year plants), and the vegetative generation (1st year plants). Thanks to Wasicus for recommending your local, family-owned garden center. It's because of people like you that I can still afford to feed my children!

Answer 3

I would say spring or even into the late summer. Fall planting is a little "iffy" especially if your winters are had on young plants.

Answer 4

In the spring. I suggest starting them in the house and transplanting them outside when they are 3-4 inches at least in height.

Of course, it does depend on the zone you live in; severity of winter, average soil temperatures, sunshine hours, etc

Answer 5

I just looked to see if you had answers because I would like to know as well.You can call your local private owned nursery and ask them .I would think they would be more studied on it than some more commercialized nurseries.