my experience is they turn out to be more perennial that most places say. You should definitely let seeds fall though, so you have a constant batch of seedlings coming up to replace the old ones. I've started to do that with my digitalis as it seems I have to start from scratch every year.
what color are they? HAve you had rust problems? I love Hollyhocks.

No, no rust, just these little green caterpillar things that are turning my leaves to lace.
They are dark purple, and pink.
These are outside my dining room window.

{{gwi:724412}}

You could try Bt for the caterpillars. Sulfur might help if rust shows up, but if it ain't broke, no reason to fix it.

Rosefolly

Mine didn't have rust when they were shorter, but now that they've grown to over my head, the lower leaves are all 'rusty'. I had saved this recipe last year from some posting, so I'm going to try it this weekend:

Healthy Hollyhock Spray
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. canola oil
1/2 tsp. Ivory dish liquid soap
1/2 C. white vinegar
1 gallon water.

Gail

All mine are perennial, including the doubles which I believe are hybrids. So they may be for you, as well. Just let some of the seed drop and you'll find out. : )

I had some of those lacy leaves this year, too. They were from teeny, tiny caterpillars that became thin winged moth less than a half inch long. This happened in mid spring for mine. I removed some of the worst leaves but left the rest. If you have something growing in front of them (I have roses) you won't be able to see most of the damage unless it continues for you as the plants grow taller.

I don't have a solution but wouldn't use the Bt because it kills the beneficial cats, too. I'd rather have ratting looking HHs than do that but that's just me. : ) No rust ever - it's too dry here - so I do hose off the leaves when I see any bad bugs or grass hoppers. They can do a lot of damage to HHs, too.

Diana

I live in swPA near Pittsburgh, love Hollyhocks! My question is, I have some seeds that my mom got from my uncle a few years ago, does anyone think they will sprout? Should I try to germinate them? When should I plant them? Ahh so many questions.....

I hope my hollyhocks come back as regularly as it has for others here. I did grow hollyhocks at my last house, but then sold before the next springtime. Last year I planted seeds here at the new place and only got leaves...this year single pink/cream hollyhocks are growing and are so beautiful!

mamaholly - I got seeds a couple of years ago from a seed swap and the pink/cream ones I mentioned above were from that batch and are blooming now. I also have others that are forming leaves for next year's blooms from that batch. So definitely plant them. But I'd wait until September for blooms next year. They need light to germinate. If you direct sow, only cover with just a dusting of soil. Or you could start some in pots and just press the seeds against the soil, cover with plastic and wait for them to germinate. Once they do and they get their first set of real leaves, plant them out at the end of summer so the roots have time to establish before the cold weather comes in.

Lavendrfem,
Oh Cool! Thanks so much!! I'm not sure what color these are, I do remember them talking about black ones, but aren't sure if they are those or not. I am going to do what you suggested, germinate them in pots & plant in the fall. I will be very anxious to see if they sprout!
Mama