I planted hollyhocks in the spring of 2024. It never took off. That summer, it was ravaged by rolly-pollies, earwigs, and whatnot. Lo and behold, in the spring of 2025, it returned, once again to be ravaged by aphids followed by rolly-pollies, earwigs, and whatnot.

I honestly have given up on this plant. I planted 6 of these. The other five have long been perished, never to return in year 2. Apparently, this plant has a stubborn soul, like the gardener who put her there. 😄

In the mild 2025-2026 winter, this plant never went to bed. Even in December, there were green leaves sprouting. By the end of spring, however, it was starting to get shaded by the beast that is the butterfly bush (buddhleia). I began to feel like I’ve made a huge mistake planting the hollyhock so close to the butterfly bush but can I blame me? I was a newbie gardener back then, after all the failed fruit trees, I could’ve never believe whatever that was printed on the planting card was true.

On the planting card, it said the butterfly bush would have a spread of 5 feet but it doesn’t say how many years it would take. For me, it ended up taking two seasons before it became the biggest thing in the front garden. I cut it almost to the ground right before spring and by the time June comes around, it’s a beast again.

I water this area once or twice a week, mostly with tap water but I would give it some rain water if I have some to spare. Then a few days ago, as I was walking to the rain barrels, I noticed a little yellow peeking from under the butterfly bush. “No way!” I quietly exclaimed, dropped the bucket I was going to fill it with rain water, and almost ran over. “Wow! After two years, you finally decided to flower.”

The Flower Hour