The Hollyhocks are being idle. I don't know what they think they are going to achieve by loafing around, flaunting their green buds. Even my dear friend Caroline, who claims to avoid gardening, has photos of her hollyhocks in full bloom taken a month ago. I have told them that if they don't get their act together they will get frostbite. I admit that the location is a teeny bit shady but the effect will be utterly charming when they flower. One must suffer sometimes for Art.
Your garden looks like a beautiful retreat - with or without blooming hollyhocks! Enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! As the Head Gardener I must admit that I chiefly see the weeds but I am training myself to sit and enjoy the flowers every day.
DeleteNevertheless, your garden still looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you! There is much to do after years when I worked full time but it has given me much pleasure this year.
DeleteHollyhocks is a useful word to use in place of others - three syllables rather than the usual two. Slightly anapaestic too
ReplyDeleteStop showing off.
DeleteLooks lovely. Is that a magnolia? Hopefully your hollyhocks will get their skates on if it warms up a bit.
ReplyDeleteIt is a Magnolia stellata in dire need of a trim.
DeleteYour summer house looks charming and your hollyhocks will be all the more welcome for flowering late.
ReplyDeleteYes - you are right, of course, but I think they are waiting for warm weather and I am afraid that we have had our ration for this year.
DeleteNow mine are looking overblown, blowsy and jaded. That perfect moment when they've only been open a day or two is yet to come for you. The delay of hollyhock pleasure. Am rather jel
ReplyDeleteWill advise as soon as the buds start to break. Am hoping for gorgeous frilly cream flowers.
DeleteMine have only just flowered, be patient, they will oblige.
ReplyDeletePatience? What is this thing? I seem to have the wrong personality to be a successful gardener.
DeleteIn sympathy with you I have been muttering 'oh hollyhocks!' at work today at times of intense exasperation
ReplyDeleteYou need to accompany it with a glare and a threatening display of secateurs to have the full effect. Could be tricky in an office environment.
DeleteSpeaking of threatening displays with secateurs and suffering for ones Art I am presently sporting a rather large plaster on the little finger I snipped with said implement while trying to cut back the undergrowth. I have never been able to grow hollyhocks.
DeleteSympathies - I have a war wound on my thumb which evidence of obsessively cleaning my secateurs.
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