Yes....holly hocks take 2 years to bloom....so plant them now for next year. Linda C

All my hollyhocks are perennial. It's usually the oldest varieties that are biennial and even that isn't true if you're in a warmer zone. A lot of this has to do with the time it takes the plant to mature and in warmer zones this doesn't always happen at the same rate as other zones. Same goes for being annual. Yours may bloom the first year but turn out to be annual just because they may not survive the winter to come back again. But I doubt it. Hollyhocks are really tough plants and can grow in some of the harshest conditions. The only way you're going to know is to wait and see what happens. You can cut them back in the fall and they should be fine. If you leave them standing you will probably just lose what's there to the cold anyway. They may even disappear completely for you. I'm not sure so maybe someone in your zone can answer this question. Mine bloom the first year they sprout so I usually end up cutting them back to about 2 feet in July. Then in Sept. they are up again, not quite so tall but bushier and full of blooms. I actually like the smaller size and shape better than when they are tall as they are right now. After their fall bloom I just cut them back to about a foot and wait for next year's show. : ) I agree with deborah, the small bush one may be a malva. They are really pretty, too and don't have the flopping problem that some HH have. And your post isn't long! good luck and let us know how things turn out. : ) Diana

Libby, Thanks for taking the time to read and respond! I did read about hollyhock rust but I thought it would only affect the plants after they get big; I guess not! These seedlings are only about 6" tall or so, dont know if this piece of information changes anything. I have some black eyed susans in front of them so if its just cosmetic, I am not too concerned. No, there arent any flower spikes yet; I am hoping for some nice flowers next year. :-) Mo

Hi Wytch and all, I typically follow mother nature's regime where seeds fall from our mature hollyhocks in mid to late summer and sprout to become little plants before winter, to survive and bloom the following winter (whether perennial types or biennial types)....soooo, I'd say in zone 7 you're fine to plant them right now to get small plants to overwinter this winter. I bet most will bloom next year (if the perennial type) or all will (if the biennial type). I just planted a few (okay a ton) seeds two weeks ago and they're up and making great progress. They've got enough time to become reasonable small plants by winter to bloom next year. For summer-sowing, I just start them in pots outside (though in the ground would work as well). Oh, and I move mine all the time except when they're getting ready to flower, I think the best time is in spring after they're showing signs of waking up again, but not growing full-bore yet. Just keep them well watered when you move them. Let us know what you do, and how it works out. Like most things, if you ask four gardeners you'll get five answers, so I'm sure others will chime in with methods just as good, or better, than mine. :) Take care, Grant Here is a link that might be useful: 'Old Barnyard' hollyhocks from Wayside