One of our neighbours has a lovely garden of hollyhocks. They bring back a lot of memories, as my husband’s parents had hollyhocks growing near their garage.
Alcea rosea or hollyhocks as we know them range between 3 to 8 feet in height. Their blooms are along the stalks, and tend to open from the bottom blooms to the top.
Apparently hollyhocks originally came from East Asia. Around the 15th century they came to English gardens and we see them now in many gardens here in Ontario.
They can be used for medicinal purposes – for helping with digestive problems and breathing disorders. Apparently you can make a tea from the flower. I wouldn’t recommend experimenting with them without getting some expert training though.
I enjoy their beauty. God has made so many beautiful things for us to enjoy here on this earth.
