Welcome to the Sunshine Club!
You made it! This is the final installment of the Sunshine Club's 2026 seed giveaway, and we saved a classic for last. Hollyhocks are the grand dames of the cottage garden, with towering stalks of blooms that have been gracing gardens since the Crusades (yes, really, 1096-1291). Back then, they were prized as an anti-inflammatory salve for horses' leg injuries. Today, we grow them for their old-fashioned beauty and dramatic presence.
This Quarter's Seeds: Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are tall, stately, and surprisingly low-maintenance. These flowers grow multiple blooms on a single stalk, reaching anywhere from 3 to 8 feet tall. They're perfect for planting along a fenceline where they can get support and protection from strong winds. They'll create a living backdrop for the rest of your garden.
Plant 2-3 seeds together, spacing each group 2-3 feet apart. You can plant them in early spring or about 2 months before your first hard frost. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and keep them moist. Hollyhocks aren't fussy about soil quality, and they only need fertilizing twice through the growing season. That's the beauty of these old-time favorites. They just grow.
When they bloom, you'll have armfuls of flowers perfect for tall floral arrangements. And when you see them swaying in your garden, you're looking at centuries of gardening tradition, right there in your own yard.
You Did It!
Congratulations on completing your Sunshine Club collection! You now have seeds for four beautiful, hardworking flowers that will keep your San Diego garden blooming year-round. Sweet peas for fragrance, marigolds for protection, gaillardia for easy color, and hollyhocks for drama. Each one tells a story, and together they create a garden that's truly yours.
Thank you for being part of the Sunshine Club. We'll see you in the garden.
Stop by City Farmers Nursery Wednesday through Sunday, 9am-5pm. Let's keep growing together.
Family owned since 1972, City Farmers Nursery carries on Farmer Bill's legacy of free advice, quality plants, and community support. Visit us at 3110 Euclid Ave in City Heights.