addendum - I am also looking for named Lupines. On the Hollyhocks, I am especially looking for these species and 1 hybrid which are reported to be disease resistant and true perennials: a. taurica a. ficifolia a. rugosa Alcea hybridum 'Fiesta'

I had a container of HollyHock seeds sitting outside, drying out a bit before being stored away til Spring. It rained, I'd, more-or-less, forgotten about them, resulting in them soaking for a few days. Has germination already been kick started? Is it now too late to try again to dry and store them? I know they can be "Winter Sown" and I have read that some folks plant HollyHock in the Fall, I take it, the premise being that they would start in the fall, go into dormancy over winter and come back that much stronger in the Spring. Also some start them inside, grow them in the house through the winter ready to be transplanted in the Spring. I have a few concerns about this; among other things, I'd think they could reach considerable size in 6 or more months. I'm leaning toward just planting them all now (late October) and hoping for the best but I'd like to hear your thoughts on what might be the best route to take with these? Thanks

I wish we could keep this thread going...I have hollyhocks that go back to my husband's grandmother who has been gone for many years now. Every year some pop up somewhere on our acreage. The dark burgundies are my favorites. Haven't seen any of those in a few years. My problem is the color choices are dwindling.White seems to be the predominant color. How to reinvigorate? It doesn't do any good to save seed because you have no guarantees of color due to bees and cross-pollination. Any thoughts out there? Also, this year was really hard on my hollyhocks--many died out because we had an open, cold winter in early December. This is zone 4 and windy. Perennials need snow cover. The only one that is blooming is a beautiful, coral-pink that has a fig leaf and was purchased from a nursery in VT. I bought them last year, planted them, and lost 2 out of the 3 over the winter. Since there are plenty of baby hollyhocks growing out there I will be much more careful to mulch and protect this year.

A slightly paler yellow, alcea taurica can be had - I think Jellito and B&T World seeds sell it - another good perennial...or there is the pale pink alcea pallida. I have just ordered a white althea fastigiata after seeing a garden escape on our local common (missed the seeds because the Red Poll cattle stomped on the plant). I also sowed alcea rosea 'Halo' variety this year (waiting on flowers for next year), slightly against my better judgment but, yep, I wanted a huge swathe of these down the main woodland ride and a big wodge in front of the horsebox cab and so... The ficifolia (fig-leaved) hollyhocks are not totally rust resistant but if you remove the very lowest leaves when they look a bit gnarly and rusty, it keeps the spores under control - I think, like the rugose leaves of the russian types, the leaves are much tougher and resist the hyphae which transmit infection into the leaf cells. Titian, I think there are issues with heat - mostly, hollyhocks are happier in 3-8 zones...but there are mallows (sphaeralcea munroa, fendleri, coccinea and anisodonteas) , which are suited to a dryer, hotter area...and some of the lavateras (maritima, I think) which do better in heat...and many of the hibiscus, of course.