Hollyhock Flower – Meaning and Symbolism

The popular Hollyhock flower is well-known among people who enjoy flowers but also those who are not so familiar with flower sorts.

The ideal location for the tall hollyhock (Alcea Hollyhocka) is along the fence or along the house wall – this gives them sufficient support for their size. The sowing of the plant happens almost by itself. In August, most hollyhocks are in full bloom. Many plants then show yellow spots – the so-called gentle rust. Use these tips to fight the fungus.

The hollyhock needs warm and sheltered from the wind. That’s why a sunny wall facing south is the ideal location. There the plants thrive splendidly, even on the East Frisian islands and the Halligen.

Because of their height, it makes sense to tie the hollyhocks so that they are not kinked by their own weight or by wind. The Federal Association of German Garden Friends (BDG) in Berlin recommends planting the mallow plant in small groups.

In addition, the BDG advises to unfilled flowering varieties. Only they are a coveted food source for many native insects with their large quantities of pollen.

What Does the Hollyhock Flower Mean?

Hollyhocks need nutrient-rich, loose soil. The addition of bark mulch prevents the ground from becoming firm. The soil does not dry out so quickly. Sufficient moisture is important. Therefore, hollyhocks must be watered regularly. In spring you can strengthen the plant with some fertilizer. Nitrogen is her lifeblood.

Once a few hollyhocks have established themselves in the garden, they can easily multiply. After blooming at the end of September, the inflorescences are left to stand and dry out. In autumn, they are rubbed with their hands, the seeds scattered in the bed and something undercut. In the spring you have a wealth of small hollyhocks that you can singulate.

If you want to keep the hollyhock for more than two years, you should cut it back regularly after flowering – the ideal time is August or September.

According to BDG, the flower should not be able to produce any seeds – that is the only way to enjoy it for several years. If the seeds are not removed, the life expectancy is around two years.

Non-hardy hollyhocks are brought in before the first frost. It should not be too icy, otherwise the mallows lose their leaves. At eight to twelve degrees the plants feel most comfortable. Every two weeks the plants should be watered so that the root ball does not dry out. Winter hardy hollyhocks that stay outdoors can be covered with a bit of brushwood to protect them from frost.

If yellow spots appear on the leaves of the hollyhock, it is most likely attacked by mallow rust. The fungal disease is characterized by red-brown pustules on the underside of the leaves noticeable. On the top there are small yellow spots as counterparts. The fungus can occur early in the spring and has the ability to overwinter in the plant.

To prevent the fungus from infecting the delicate plants in the spring, the first leaves should be removed best. Anyone who later discovers infected leaves should dispose of them in the residual waste after removal.

This also applies to fallen leaves in autumn or cut back plant parts. On the compost would be the risk of infecting other plants. In the initial stage, the fungus can be controlled with approved fungicides.

Etymological Meaning of the Hollyhock Flower

The Latin word rosáceus means pink, and it refers to the basic color of the flower mildew. The simple way of cultivating this species, as well as great uses, make this kind of one of the most cultivated in our country. Decorative spleen originates from Syria. On our premises

It is cultivated as a two-year-old flower species, although it can also be cultivated as a feather. In addition to this species, its relatives Malva moschata L. and Malva sylvestris L. are also used quite a lot, which, in addition to decorative, have medicinal and spice value.

Symbolism of the Hollyhock Flower

Hollyhocks (Alcea) form a separate genus with about 60 species within the mallow family (Malvaceae). They originate from the eastern Mediterranean and have been native to Europe and Asia for quite some time, where they have been used as a crop for medical purposes and for coloring food.

The Common Hollyhock (Alcea Hollyhocka), also known as Hollyhock or Peasant Hollyhock, is the most popular representative and is often used as an ornamental plant in the garden.

Already in ancient Rome mallow plants were known as medicinal plants. There, the hollyhock got the Latin name Alcea. Later, in the botanical nomenclature, the Greek name Althea (= cure) was used, which is why the Hollyhock is still sometimes under this name in the trade.

The Hollyhock Flower Facts

The lighter, beautiful green leaves of hollyhock spring from a basal leaf Hollyhock. The leaves are up to 16 inches tall and are slightly hairy. They are sitting on hairy stalks. In the second year, deciduous leaves also grow on the flower stalk.

The strong, palm-sized flowers of hollyhock appear from July to September. They are both filled and unfilled in a wide variety of colors from white to yellow, apricot, pink or red to violet and purple black. Tip: Simply flowering varieties are considered more enduring than filled hollyhocks.

Hollyhocks like a nutrient-rich, well-drained and dry to slightly moist soil. They like to stand in full sun. As a location you should choose for your hollyhock best a sunny bed with a permeable soil. Too densely sown or planted stocks should be thinned in time, so that the individual plants can develop more vigorously. The leaves also dry better and are less prone to the mallow rust.

Hollyhocks are actually perennial plants. However, as they were very exhausted during flowering, the flowering of flowers decreases significantly from year to year. It is therefore better to cut back some of the flowered plants and to ensure a constant rejuvenation by sowing. For this, the mallows are sown either in the fall or from June directly into the bed. If early plants are planted early in the fall, the mallow can develop well before it blooms next year.

Plant hollyhocks with sufficient distance between the plants to allow the leaves to dry quickly after a downpour. In the following spring, the hollyhock gets compost fertilization well. In summer, the fast-growing plants need plenty of water.

So that the soil does not dry out so quickly, a protective layer of mulch is advisable. Support the long stems in unprotected locations with a sturdy rod, as hollyhocks will bend slightly in windy conditions.

Meaningful Botanical Characteristics of the Hollyhock Flower

After watering, the shoots of bare root Hollyhocks are cut back to about 20 cm to reduce the evaporation area. Rule of thumb: At least five buds should be left per shoot. From the roots, remove damaged and dead parts and shorten the ends a little to encourage the formation of new roots. The remaining fine roots are not removed.

With balled Hollyhocks and container Hollyhocks the roots are not cut – unless at the bottom of the plant container turning roots have formed. These must be completely cut out. You should also remove sick, dead or too long shoots with these Hollyhocks.

Hollyhocks have long, strong roots. Therefore, the planting hole should have a diameter of about 40 cm and be so deep that the roots are not bent over. When choosing your location, you need to make sure there are no Hollyhocks for a long time – otherwise you may experience soil fatigue and the Hollyhocks will not grow properly.

The treatment center must be about five centimeters below the surface when planting Hollyhocks, so that it is protected from stress cracks by the winter sun. With a rod and a folding rule you can check that.

Before you fill the hole in the planting hole, you should mix it with mature compost or a handful of horn shavings. After filling the planting hole, the soil is slightly compacted with the foot to close up cavities in the soil.

Once the Hollyhock has been planted and the earth is well set, a pouring edge is formed with the surrounding earth. Thus, the irrigation water seeps directly to the planting site and cannot drain off to the side. The water ensures good ground contact of the roots. Also make sure next spring that the Hollyhocks have enough moisture and do not dry out. You can then level the pouring rim again in early summer.

Hollyhock Flower Color Meanings

The Hollyhock flower comes in several colors. We can find it in red, purple, yellow, pink and orange. These colors are all warm toned except purple and they all symbolize love, happiness, friendship and love.

The purple ones are symbols of nobility and they could be a special gift for someone special.

The Hollyhock Flower Message Is

The Hollyhock flower’s message is: „I care about you and you mean a lot to me.“

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