Just adding if anyone is following, the plant looks great after almost a week in the ground and cool, rainy days. Buds swelling.

I think that Deanna is the only gardener.

@NHBabs z4b-5a NH Still have the same question. The fact that the Dianthus went downhill together with a nearby tree seems like an important clue to a bigger story.

" are now able to grow Alcea ficifolia with no problem? Maybe that indicates that the rust spores in the soil die after a few years. "

No, it means that Alcea ficifolia is resistant to the rust fungus. As are most other species of hollyhock other than Alcea rosea.

Those gardeners that do favor growing the old fashioned common hollyhock, Alcea rosea, will often keep a very close eye on their plants and remove any affected lower leaves ASAP. This prevents the disease from spreading. They also make sure the plants are not crowded, have good air circulation and avoid any overhead watering. They also frequently plant a perennial that is shorter but fluffier in front of the hollyhocks to disguise their naked lower stems.

Yep, I grew this Alcea ficifolia last year and was very happy with it

And even this Alcea rosea 'Nigra' a few years ago was glorious and didn't suffer from rust at all.

I've have sometimes wondered what became of "Kevin" i.e, aachenelf z5 Mpls.

MsRedByrd, the two Timeless Beauty photos you posted above are totally different kinds of plants. The first appears to be a crabapple tree.

The second is Timeless Beauty desert willow.

Yes, they aren't going to send a tractor trailer out to a garden center somewhere each time somebody orders through the web site. However when an item is flagged as being currently available via the BUY ONLINE marker when the full page on that item is opened it includes this assurance:

Your plant(s) will ship to the garden center you chose within the next 21 days.

as is the case at the present time for a hydrangea cultivar I checked as a test, these being in season at present.

What.. no tractor trailer??? BIG GRIN!!!!

What a glorious mix of botany and scenery. Thanks for sharing.

Stunning mac! We certainly appreciate these pics more than your travelling buddies!

You're adventurous, a great photographer and willing to share. Thanks! So amazing to see such height, glory, scenery, plethora of flowers and how they grow in difficult places--must be a designer behind all that!