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Hollyhock (Althaea rosea The Hollyhock)

(Althaea rosea). The Hollyhock is a very old inhabitant of our gardens, and, where it succeeds, is one of the finest autumnal flowers for the decoration of our gardens and shrubberies. Of recent years, the Hollyhock disease has played such havoc amongst the plants, that their cultivation has become a matter of extreme uncertainty, and has, consequently, been somewhat neglected. At one time, not long since, the Hollyhock was considered an important florists' and exhibition flower, splendid double varieties having been selected and raised by some few hybridisers, who devoted special attention to its improvement. Propagation is effected by seeds, by cuttings, and by divisions; also sometimes by eyes, obtained from side shoots when they are getting firm, in July or August, and placed in light soil, under a shaded hand glass. Seeds should be saved from the finest sorts, and sown, so soon as ripe, in pots or pans, being placed in a slight bottom heat, or in the open air, in June or July. The seedlings should be transferred, in either case, when large enough, into 3in. pots, and wintered in a cold frame. This method is adopted to obtain new varieties, and for securing a large number of plants for ordinary decoration. The usual mode of propagation is by cuttings, about 3in. long, consisting of young shoots, which may be taken off close to the old root, at nearly any time of the year. They should be placed singly in small pots of light sandy soil, and kept close and shaded in a cold frame until roots are emitted. If propagation by cuttings is practised in winter, a gentle bottom heat should be given them. Division of the roots may be effected, after flowering is over, by separating the crown, so as to preserve one or more buds, and as many roots as possible, to each piece. Cuttings are generally preferred to divisions, but either plan will answer. Outdoor Cultivation. Hollyhocks succeed--if they are not attacked by the disease--in almost any good garden soil. If in any way poor, it should be previously well trenched and manured, or strong spikes will not be obtained. The young plants should be wintered near the glass in cold frames, admitting plenty of air and giving only a little water. They must not be allowed to become starved for want of root-room when young. Gradually harden off in March, and plant out, about the middle of April, where they are intended to flower. A few for late flowering may be planted a month later. Space of about 3ft. every way will not be too much between the plants. They should be protected on cold nights until established, and be supplied with plenty of water throughout the summer. A top-dressing of well-decayed manure is beneficial when the flower-spikes are pushing up. Strong plants may be allowed two or three spikes, but the weaker kinds should be reduced to one by removing all the other side growths when young. A stiff stake will be requisite for each plant, and it should be inserted before injury is caused by rough wind. In a sunny position and good soil, Hollyhocks reach a height of 8ft. or 10ft., and flower from about 3ft. above the ground nearly to the points. After flowering is over, the spikes should be cut down to about 6in. from the base; and if the varieties are choice, they should be lifted before winter, and stored, like seedlings, &c., in frames. Where the soil is tolerably dry, and the winter not very severe, Hollyhocks keep all right in the open ground. Small pieces of choice sorts may also be grafted on roots obtained from vigorous seedlings.

Varieties. Good collections of Hollyhocks still exist, and, in some places, are successfully cultivated. Should the disease diminish its attacks, and allow of named varieties (of which the following is a good selection) being again generally grown, no doubt they will receive the attention they merit, both for general decoration and for exhibition. Seedlings, from good varieties, are much cultivated, and frequently answer their purpose equally as well as named sorts.

ACME (Chater), peach-colour, extra fine; ALBA SUPERBA, pure white, fine spike; BLACK GEM, glossy blackish-maroon, good; CARUS CHATER, reddish-crimson, very fine; COMPETITOR, deep rich purple, extra; CONQUEST, dark crimson; CONSTANCE, delicate pale flesh, with a dark base; CYGNET, pure white, large flowers and good spike; DECISION, puce, long close spike; DUCHESS, rosy-peach, good; EARL OF BREADALBANE, light red, fine full flower; ECLIPSE, bright rosy-red, extra fine; ELEANOR, soft pale rose, good; EMPEROR, dark crimson-maroon; GOLDEN DROP, bright deep yellow, large flower; JAMES MACDONALD, shining-red, fine spike; JESSIE DEAN, clear dark amber; JOSHUA CLARK, bright cherry, fine; LADY MIDDLETON, purple, very large flower; LILAC PERFECTION, pale lilac, good; MARVELLOUS, deep orange-buff, full; MISS ASHLEY, rose, fine spike; MODEL, light crimson; MR. CHATER, amber, tinged with crimson, full flower; MRS. EDWARDS, pure salmon, extra; MRS. ELLIOTT, white, shaded and tinged lilac; NELSON, light purple, large flower; OCTAVIA, rose-pink, very fine; PERFECTION, white, suffused reddish-salmon; PRINCESS, white, suffused salmon, large and fine; QUEEN OF WHITES, white, large flower, and fine spike; QUEEN OF YELLOWS, golden-yellow, large spike, extra; SCARLET GEM, bright scarlet; SULTAN, purple, large flower; W. BACKHOUSE, bright rose; W. THOMSON, purple, large flower and fine spike.