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July 03, 2005
Hollyhocks
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The fullness of summer is upon us. Plantings have filled out, the leaves on the trees have darkened to the dull heavy green of mid summer, and flower beds are at peak. Horticulturally just as in all other ways, New York likes to be at the cutting edge, which these days means using tropicals as annuals to spice up traditional planting. Which is all well and good, because yes, there are too many impatiens, begonias and petunias out there, and a cana lily here and a banana leaf there can improve the picture. But here at Citygardenguide we have particular affection for old fashioned plants, plain and unimproved, and one of our favorites is the single (never the double) hollyhock. This week they are blooming wherever good old fashioned virtues are still valued; (joke!) in community gardens, in the Broadway Malls at 108th street, and in our public gardens like Bryant Park and the Conservatory.
The most picturesque display is surely in the perennial garden at Wave Hill, where stately groups of hollyhocks in pale yellow, pink and wine red preside over the summer garden. But there's a catch- lovely as they are- when they are over-they are very over; their papery blossoms shriveling into unsightly brown mush. So run don't walk to Wave Hill for an old fashioned treat.
Posted by gardenguidenyc at July 3, 2005 09:22 AM