Hollyhock
Antwerp Fig Leaf

Who doesn’t love good old-fashioned hollyhocks? The large flowers of this fig-leafed variety are a riot of color yet manage to retain a cohesive color palette—maroons, deep reds, near-blacks, light pinks, and even some bi-colored blooms. This perennial is very cold-hardy and thrives year after year with more rust-resistance than most other hollyhocks. At our farm, these plants easily reach over 7 feet tall, creating a towering haven for pollinators. Bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are constantly buzzing around, and I often spot bumblebees tucked in, sleeping in the flowers overnight. Cutting back the plants after their first bloom not only reduces rust but also encourages a second flush of blooms—my plants were still flowering in late October! To keep rust at bay, it’s good to water from below and ensure good air circulation. When used as a dye plant, the black flowers produce a light blue dye. Easy to grow!