148 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Helens continued. 



the intermediate spaces and margin of a clear silvery-white. 

 A well-marked, variegated perennial plant, forming a very 

 neat tuft. 



HOLLT. See Ilex. 



HOLLYHOCK (Althcea rosed). The Hollyhock is a 

 very old inhabitant of our gardens, and, where it suc- 

 ceeds, IB 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 



FIG. 238. FLOWERING STEM OF HOLLYHOCK. 



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 

 baved from the finest sorts, and sown, so soon as ripe, 

 in pots or pans, being placed in a slight bottom heat, 



Hollyhock continued. 



or in the open air, in June or July. The seedlings 

 should be transferred, in either case, when large enough, 

 into Sin. 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 deco- 

 ration. 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 cut- 

 tings 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 bo 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 re- 

 moving 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 (see Fig. 238). 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 re- 

 ceive the attention they merit, both for general decora- 

 tion and for exhibition. Seedlings, from good varieties, 

 are much cultivated, and frequently answer their pur- 

 pose equally as well as named sorts. 



ACME (Chater), peach-colour, extra fine ; ALBA SUPERBA, pure 

 white, tine spike ; BLACK GEM, glossy blackish-maroon, good ; 

 CARUS CHATKR, reddish-crimson, very fine ; COMPETITOR, deep 

 rich purple, extra ; CONQUEST, dark crimson ; CONSTANCE, deli- 

 cate 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, flne ; LADY MlDDLBTON, purple, very large 

 flower ; LILAC PERFECTION, pale lilac, good ; MARVELLOUS, deep 

 orange-buff, full ; Miss ASHLEY, rose, flne 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 tine ; PERFECTION, white, suffused 

 reddish-salmon ; PRINCESS, white, suffused salmon, large and 



