Hollyhocks are Gross Feeders 
known in gardens ; both the single and double 
are among the very finest border plants. The 
variety, A . ficifolia, is rather slimmer and more 
graceful in growth ; of this the white and pale 
yellow forms are the best. Hollyhocks are 
gross feeders, thriving with any kind of strong 
manure. It should be dug in deep down for 
the roots to find gradually ; when coming into 
flower they should also have frequent applica- 
tions of liquid manure. They are extremely 
liable to the attack of the mallow fungus Puccinia 
malvacearum. When the pest appears they 
should be frequently sprayed with a full pink- 
coloured solution of permanganate of potash 
or one of the many ready-made fungicides. In 
strong loamy or chalky soils they are generally 
immune. Hollyhocks are really perennials, but 
they are commonly grown as biennials. 
Alyssum maritimum ( Sweet Alyssum), also 
called Koniga maritima ; h.a. ; 6 inches. — 
Flowers white. A capital plant for front edges 
of borders or banks or rock work, sown in 
April where it is to bloom. Sweet-scented and 
attractive to bees. It is also a good carpeter 
of the soil. 
Amarantus. — Half-hardy annuals, from i 
to 3 feet high, with crimson or dark blackish- 
red foliage. The well-known Love-lies-bleeding 
is A. caudatus. A. sanguineus and A. salici- 
folius are among the pleasantest in colouring ; 
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