Since hollyhocks will seed themselves if their flowers are left untouched, deadheading your hollyhocks will keep your garden under control by preventing them from adding new plants to your garden. [3] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source If you want your hollyhocks to reseed themselves and have new plants naturally replace old ones, skip the deadheading. [4] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
Avoid consuming hollyhock leaves or stems that are affected by rust disease. If you notice brown or yellow pustules on the undersides of your hollyhock leaves, this is a sign that they may be infected. [7] X Research source
You can dry these seeds by leaving them for a day on a paper plate placed in the sun. Then seal the seeds in an envelope, where they’ll remain viable for years. [9] X Research source
Most varieties of hollyhocks are biennials, and the plant will only flower in its second year before dying. Cutting back a biennial hollyhock in before its second winter can help it live for another year. [13] X Research source
After cutting down the hollyhocks in preparation for winter, you won’t have to do any additional work to take care of the hollyhocks until spring comes around. Remember that this is a hardy plant, and doesn’t need much supervision![15] X Trustworthy Source Royal Horticultural Society Leading gardening charity in the U. K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants Go to source
Although rust disease isn’t likely to kill your plant, it is a fungal infection that can spread very quickly, causing leaves to turn yellow and fall early while damaging the overall appearance of your plant. [17] X Research source