It’s Hollyhock time!

July 4, 2014 by afrenchgarden 26 Comments

I never realised what a difference the hollyhocks make to the garden. They are a bit the emblematic flower of this region of France and now pop up everywhere.

They are a natural for along our back fence.

But they are happy in rough, partially shady spots.

They keep us company growing against inhospitable walls.

They’ll fight and win against Acanthus for their right to survive.

They pop up in strange places and find the sunshine regardless.

They can grow taller than trees! Well, O.K. a small tree.

Of course, they are well-beloved by the bumble bees.

And are frequented by lots of different solitary bees like this Halictes bee lapping up the nectar at the base of the flower.

The hollyhocks also provide shelter. I took this picture by flash at half past eight in the evening. I often find these bees (Tetralonia malvae, I think) asleep for the night.

Hollyhocks self seed easily and it is usually my husband who cannot bear to mow down any that appear in the lawn and who takes the trouble to transplant them. Now I have got more sunshine in my borders I am going to make sure I help him so we can have even more next year.

Author: afrenchgarden

Born in Scotland I have lived in England, Iran, USA and Greece. The house and land was bought twelve years ago in fulfilment of the dream of living in France that my Francophile husband nurtured. We had spent frequent holidays in France touring the more northerly parts and enjoying the food, scenery, architecture and of course gardens. However, we felt that to retire in France and enjoy a more clement climate than we currently had in Aberdeen we would need to find somewhere south of the river Loire but not too south to make returning to visit the UK onerous. The year 2000 saw us buying our house and setting it up to receive us and the family on holidays. The garden was more a field and we were helped by my son to remove the fencing that had separated the previous owners’ goats, sheep and chickens. We did inherit some lovely old trees and decided to plant more fruit trees that would survive and mature with the minimum of care until we took up permanent residence. The move took place in 2006 and the love hate relation with the “garden” started. There was so much to do in the house that there was little energy left for the hard tasks in the garden. It was very much a slow process and a steep learning curve. Expenditures have been kept to a minimum. The majority of the plants have been cuttings and I try to gather seeds wherever I can. The fruit trees have all been bought but we have tender hearts and cannot resist the little unloved shrub at a discount price and take it as a matter of honour to nurse it back to health. This year I have launched my Blog hoping to reach out to other gardeners in other countries. My aim is to make a garden for people to enjoy, providing shady and sunny spots with plants that enjoy living in this area with its limestone based subsoil and low rainfall in a warm summer. Exchanging ideas and exploring mutual problems will enrich my experience trying to form my French garden.