This could be the question my Hollyhock is asking.  Last year, when the package of mixed wildflowers was just tossed into the soil, most of the wildflowers came up all except the hollyhock.  This year it has made up for that, and the wildflowers (ones that should have come back) did not.

The hollyhock really has shown itself.  It is in a corner of the yard near a 7 foot fence.  We measured it from the ground up to the tallest stalk over the weekend—it was 14 feet tall! And looks to be taller even today.

This plant has dark green leaves that are maybe 12 inches in length and 6 inches across.  The flowers are pink then, as they age, turn to hot pink.

From what I have read about hollyhocks, they are a short lived perennial living 2-3 years, but could be self- seeding.  It is also suggested that you removing the spent flowers so they will bloom longer.   I really don't think that is an option on a 14 foot plant.

Hollyhocks are an old cottage plant; children can take the flower a bud and a toothpick and make flower dolls. Just put the bud on one end of the toothpick and the flower as a skirt on the other.

It was just interesting and fun to read the information about hollyhocks, I found several web sites that say that 9 feet is the maximum for grown on this plant. But one site said that the height range is from 1-20 feet.

I guess that there are exceptions to everything including plants in the garden.