biennials

Hollyhock Days

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In the suburban gardens near my house, I hardly ever see common hollyhocks or Alcea rosea. Maybe they are considered too old-fashioned, rough-looking, or unruly. It might be because they grow so tall that they sometimes need staking. It’s equally possible that they have suffered the same fate that afflicted dahlias until a decade or … Read more

Giant Mullein

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A friend of mine gardens in a community plot and noticed a very large, yellow-flowered plant sprouting on his allotment.  He asked if I could identify it from a description, which turned out to be an easy task.  At this time of the year, a plant that is three to six feet tall, with yellow … Read more