The weather this summer has been hollyhock-friendly and any Jacks out there wanting to climb sky high can start on the journey NOW because the hollyhocks are reaching for the clouds.
These specimens, flowering in my country gardens as I write, have been "wild" for years. I never have to plant them anymore even though technically they are biennials, meaning they live two years and flower in the second season (sometimes in the first, as well). Hollyhocks are survivors and reseed themselves, even in gardens where I've ripped them out repeatedly. I suspect the seeds have a long "shelf life" or perhaps a sense of humour. What do you think?
The weather this summer has been hollyhock-friendly and any Jacks out there wanting to climb sky high can start on the journey NOW because the hollyhocks are reaching for the clouds.
These specimens, flowering in my country gardens as I write, have been "wild" for years. I never have to plant them anymore even though technically they are biennials, meaning they live two years and flower in the second season (sometimes in the first, as well). Hollyhocks are survivors and reseed themselves, even in gardens where I've ripped them out repeatedly. I suspect the seeds have a long "shelf life" or perhaps a sense of humour. What do you think?
I think I need to plant some next year. LOL! (I say that every year) They are very pretty tho. How I envy your collage maker!
ReplyDeleteVery good sky watch post!
I haven't seen a Hollyhock in years.
ReplyDeleteNice shots.
My hollyhocks are gone to seed and cut down. I am looking forward to more next year.
ReplyDeleteI think it was a very nice collage and a tribute to the plant!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment!
Pretty photo for sky watch friday, thanks for sharing all your summer photos celebrating the season.
ReplyDeleteHollyhocks are so lovely! And the contrast against the deep blue sky is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful Skywatch! Gorgeous! Did you get any volunteer Jacks yet?
ReplyDeleteCheers, Klaus
Happy Skywatching, Ms. TourGuide! You have found some pretty hollyhocks amongst your blue skies!
ReplyDeleteWe can't grow hollyhocks down here in Texas, we had a lot in Nebraska when I lived there.
Not all skies are pretty as you will see in my Texas unfolding! :-)
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These are gorgeous! So pretty against the sky.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad loved these flowers.
The 'Jack' comment was cute.
Wonderful photos! Beautiful hollyhocks and a very good Sky Watch!
ReplyDeleteThey are glorious specimens, EG. They look splendid against the blue of the sky.
ReplyDeleteI saw 'Jack the Bee.. great Sky Watch and great Hollyhocks.. That sounds rude...;o)
ReplyDeleteHollyhocks are a favorite of mine and they look so beautiful against the sky.
ReplyDeletevery very pretty -you've inspired me to try to take a photo like this one!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are reaching for the clouds! Great shot! I love the perspective! Awesome! Beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeletebeautiful... What program do you use to collage ur photos? is it CS3?
ReplyDeleteMy SWF : Up and Down Thanks
How very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love Hollyhock... they bring such special memories to me... these are truly some impressive photos you have done here!
ReplyDeleteMountain Retreat
Beautiful selection of photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers! I love Hollyhock, so colorful and lovely with the bright blue sky! Well done!
ReplyDeletebeautiful sky and flowers
ReplyDeletePretty flowers, and they really show up against that blue sky!
ReplyDeletebeautiful shots of the hollyhock! and the shots with the blue sky in the back are great! have a good friday!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots! I need to plant more of these beauties. Terrific close up of the Bumble too!
ReplyDeletehttp://zoliofrope.blogspot.com/
Wonderful and Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat colors and a terrific set of photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful skywatch.
Come visit our Rainbows, Click here.
Troy and Martha
I love hollyhock,Nice sky watch
ReplyDeleteA lovely set of images.
ReplyDeleteThe hollyhocks reaching for the sky are so beautiful! Wonderful colourful photos!!
ReplyDeleteThey always have made me giggle. Awesome Sky Watching!
ReplyDeleteMy Toughts, just simply gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWild or not..those are beautiful and pity people ain't growing in their yards. They're all lovely sights!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to be small enough to climb that stalk. What great photos and great take on the composition.
ReplyDeleteWhat glorious hollyhocks, just perfect against the deep blue sky.
ReplyDeleteAmazing colours in the flowers. Spotted any Jacks yet??
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it is a sense of humor. Maybe they just know they are so pretty we want to see them!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
You make the best collages. Just lovely. I love the pictures in the one just below this too.
ReplyDeleteVery good shots. The bee one is my favorite and I don't like those critters. One sting and I end up in the ER!
ReplyDeleteThat brought a smile to my face...
ReplyDeleteYou have really beautiful shots for SW!
ReplyDeleteAll your flowers are gorgeous and these Hollyhocks that bloom every year for you are stunning. Pointing right up to that beautiful blue sky.
ReplyDeleteI am home again. MB
Wonderful series of floral shots. Great photography!
ReplyDeleteI love hollyhocks and yours are just splendid.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree about them re-reseeding but I do believe the strain eventually wears it's self out, as that's what's sadly happened to some of mine.
Time to re-seat with new stock.
Indeed the hollyhocks seem to reach to the sky. The flowers in front and the clouds on the background, this give a dimension to your picture. Well done!
ReplyDeleteDirkjogt, Belgium
Indeed the hollyhocks seem to reach to the sky. The flowers in front and the clouds on the background, this give a dimension to your picture. Well done!
ReplyDeleteDirkjogt, Belgium
beautiful!!
ReplyDeletehave a nice weekend!
Beautiful. I need to plant some Hollyhocks next year.
ReplyDeleteMy SWF post
loved your invitation to the jacks and of course it is a lovely collage!
ReplyDeleteDo check out my Independence Day SkyWatch post here
These pics are so ALIVE with colour! Absolutely awesome!
ReplyDeleteSend seeds!
ReplyDeleteDarla
Great back drop for lovely flowers.
ReplyDeletePerhpas I should come up to your place and get some seeds for next year!
ReplyDeleteI also have not seen hollyhocks for a very long time. I saw them last when I was on vacation in Denmark a very very long time ago where we lived in a former wind mill, with hollyhocks growing beside the door.
ReplyDeleteAs the garden was wild, I think the hollyhocks there were not planted but re-seeded themselves.
So beautiful pictures! And nice memories!
These are wonderful...
ReplyDeleteEG: Cool shots of the Hollyhocks, they are quite beautiful in the Sky.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful photos! Holly hock is just about my favorite flower. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers! I love gardening but we have limited space in the backyard...
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my SWF is up as well. Hope to see you there.
Have a great weekend!
Nita
Love your Hollyhock sky. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYour hollyhocks are beautiful, mine have suffered from all the rain we have had and are not so good this year. I also find they pop up all over the place.
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful! What a beautiful flower. Like Dot, I've put them on my list for next year.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just love these photos! I miss growing hollyhocks, which require a lot of water for the Southwest. How nice to see them on your blog. They are beautiful! What a great view. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeletethere is no other word than beautiful! the flower match so well the blue sky!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to have the hollyhocks spread in my meadow garden. These are lovely and they are indeed reaching for the beautiful blue sky!
ReplyDeleteMy Sky Watch Photos are posted Here and Here
they are so beautiful! They remind me of my Italian grandfather, who always had some in his garden. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE hollyhocks - these are great shots!
ReplyDeleteOh, these are beautiful! I need to plsnt some of these!!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I’m a little late because I was sailing this weekend.
ReplyDeleteSo I stop by and say thank you for a nice SWF.
Hard job to visist all SWF this week, I like to rest a little bit with your flower and sky SWF.