Exotic Edibles
Hollyhock– Alcea rosea
Origin: Europe
Looking for a lovely flowering plant that will draw hummingbirds and butterflies? Why not try the Hollyhock. A hardy biennial, hollyhocks of old were tall, swaying beauties. However, now days these have been replaced in many cases by shorter hybrid versions.
Fortunately you can still get seeds from some of the older types.
Often regarded as perennials, hollyhocks will in fact, return for a year or maybe two afterwards, if cut back immediately after finishing flowering.
Another trick is to allow the seeds to mature, then thin out the seedlings and refresh the soil with compost. This will provide you with more vigorous plants. Your hollyhock seedlings can then be relocated to spread more of the wealth.
Rouge d’Etampes Pumpkin – “Cucurbita pepo” Origin: France We just got done this morning pulling the last of these pumpkins out of our garden…this year was a bumper crop! Also
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