When to plant Hollyhock in Arid Australia

Arid zone — applies to Alice Springs, Mildura, Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie, Port Augusta and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Subtropical · Tropical.

Raise hollyhock seedlings from March to August through the cool inland season, then transplant them out to grow on as hardy biennials. Sow seed about 8 mm deep, where it germinates in 6–20 days, and set young plants 30–50 cm apart in rows 45–60 cm wide. As biennials they build a leafy rosette first and send up their tall flower spires at around 200–220 days from sowing. Hollyhocks handle inland heat well once established, so in Alice Springs and Kalgoorlie the main task is getting them through establishment with steady water before their deep roots let them fend largely for themselves.

Sowing calendar — arid zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to August.

Growing notes

Hollyhocks are old cottage-garden stalwarts that cope surprisingly well with arid heat once their roots go down, so the challenges are front-loaded into establishment and one persistent disease. Raise the seedlings through the cool months and transplant carefully, keeping young plants well watered, because a hollyhock stressed for water while small stays stunted and flowers poorly.

The standout failure mode is rust. Hollyhocks are notoriously prone to this orange fungal disease, which spots and browns the lower leaves and can strip a plant bare. The arid zone's low humidity works in your favour and keeps rust far less rampant than in humid regions, but it can still appear, especially with overhead watering. Water at the base, never wet the foliage in the evening, space plants for airflow, and remove and bin any spotted lower leaves promptly.

Give them full sun and a sheltered position against a fence or wall, as the tall spires, which can top two metres, catch the hot, dry winds that whip across open inland gardens and snap or lean without support. Stake early. Once flowering finishes, leave a spire or two to set seed and hollyhocks will often self-sow a fresh generation to keep the display going year after year.

Hollyhock at a glance

Common questions

When do I plant hollyhocks in Kalgoorlie?

Raise seedlings from March to August through the cool season, then transplant them out to grow on. As biennials they build a rosette first and flower the following season at around 200–220 days from sowing.

Do hollyhocks cope with desert heat?

Yes, once established their deep roots let them handle inland heat well. The key is keeping young plants well watered through establishment, after which they largely fend for themselves.

How do I stop rust on my hollyhocks?

Water at the base rather than over the leaves, space plants for airflow, and remove spotted lower leaves promptly. The arid zone's low humidity helps keep rust far less severe than in humid regions.

Do hollyhocks need staking?

The spires can top two metres and catch the hot, dry inland winds, so stake them early and plant against a sheltered fence or wall. This prevents the tall stems snapping or leaning.

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