Notes and Gleanings. 53 



The Hollyhock, and its Culture. — For the summer and autumn deco- 

 ration of the flower-garden, hollyhocks are of great value, and prove very effec- 

 tive. No garden of any pretensions ought to be without a collection of select 

 varieties. The hollyhock has been in our gardens for nearly three hundred 

 years ; having been introduced from China in 1573. Many years, I may say cen- 

 turies, it was treated as a biennial ; and no pains were taken to perpetuate the 

 improvements or variations that were produced, excepting by saving of seed and 

 sowing it, cross-breeding being then unknown. The result was very little varia- 

 tion, and but small improvement on the flower of the original Altlicza ?-osea, — 

 a biennial, in color of a bright rose. 



Although the hollyhock is perennial when propagated by cuttings and other 

 modes, also when raised from seed in some soils, yet those possessing a fine 

 selection, acting on that principle in the same sense as with most other peren- 

 nials, will, in the course of a few years, lose their best varieties, and find their 

 collection fast disappearing. The system of planting a border, and allowing it 

 to remain so for years, does not apply to hollyhocks. 



Some object to the hollyhock in flower-gardens on account of its height; 

 and there is good reason for doing so, if in a garden of dwarf plants it is placed 

 in front of these, instead of the tall plants at back, and the dwarf in front. But 

 unquestionably it is a noble plant at the back of borders, whether wide or nar- 

 row, by itself or in beds, and the grandest of all for shrubbery borders ; whilst 

 it cannot be too extensively cultivated as a flower. A garden without a collec- 

 tion of select hollyhocks is destitute of one great attraction. 



Varieties. — The following are some of the most useful : — 



Alexander Shearer, crimson. 



Advancer, shaded rose. 



Black Prince, black. 



Countess Russell, rosy peach. 



Comet, purplish crimson. 



Competitor, deep purple. 



Decision, salmon flesh, shaded with rose. 



Electra, yellow, chocolate base. 



Fearless Improved, creamy buff. 



Gem of Yellows Improved, deep yellow. 



Hebe, creamy flesh, peach centre. 



Hon. Mrs. Ashley, bright peach. 



Memnon, bright crimson. 



Mrs. Roake, blush. 



Mrs. Chater, carmine, tinted rose. 



Mr. Roake, pale yellow. 



Lady Braybrooke, lemon, tinted fawn. 



Lady Middleton, rosy salmon. 



Lilac Model, shaded lilac. 



Pericles, chrome yellow. 



Queen of Whites, white. 



Reine Blanche, white. 



Rev. H. Dombrain, rosy salmon. 



Syrian Prince, purple. 



Walden Masterpiece, gold and scarlet. 



Warrior, bright crunson. 



Propagation. — Hollyhocks are propagated by seed in order to raise new 

 varieties, or where plants are required for extensive planting in borders ; also 

 by cuttings, division, and eyes. 



Propagation from seed is only time, labor, and ground lost, unless the seed 

 has been carefully saved, and from the finer sorts only. The seed may be sown 

 as early as March, and from that time to July or August. I prefer to sow in 

 June, and not later than July. Spring-sown plants become so strong by autumn, 

 that much room is taken up in wintering them, and except for being planted 

 out in autumn, or remaining transplanted in the bed to bloom, are not desira- 

 ble. I may, however, treat of sowing the seed in spring, in summer, and as soon 

 as ripe. 



