I have the mini purple hollyhocks in my front yard. They looked beautiful when they bloomed but now most of the flowers are gone. I am left with a bunch of brown "pods" where the flowers were and it seems like the leaves are becoming scarce. I have heard to deadhead them but that would take forever! I'm not sure if I should cut them totally back or if they will flower again.

Hollyhocks are old-fashioned, very popular garden plants with that Country or Cottage Garden look. They are commonly planted at the back of the border or against fences or walls, creating a colorful backdrop for other garden plants.

There are a couple of other genera that are similar to the old fashioned hollyhock—Malva alcea (hollyhock mallow) and Althaea zebrina (French hollyhock) and can generally be treated the same.

The bell shaped flowers are produced on sturdy stems. The lower flowers appear first and then new blooms open to the top of the plant. Hollyhocks will bloom from midsummer to early fall.

Hollyhocks are technically biennial plants, growing vegetatively the first growing season after planting and then blooming the following year. (If planted in fall, they will sometimes bloom the following summer.) Seeds started indoors in the winter will often bloom the first year after planting in spring. Seed sown outdoors in spring may take another year to bloom. Plants should be placed 18-24 inches apart. Once established, hollyhocks will self-seed.

Hollyhocks are plagued by some serious pests. Caterpillars of the painted lady butterfly prefer the leaves of hollyhocks. They may not be obvious on the plant, but they are voracious eaters, and can eat up entire plants while your back is turned! Japanese beetles also like hollyhocks, leaving their telltale lacey-looking foliage on the plant after they move through the planting.

Hollyhocks are also susceptible to rust-a fungal disease that causes orange colored spots on the leaves. It is possible for the fungus to overwinter on the root system, reinfecting the plant in spring. Fungicides will offer control if applied starting in early spring, continuing through the growing season. Alternatively look for rust resistant varieties.

Cut back hollyhocks after the flowers fade, generally when the lower portion of the bloomstalk has more seedpods than the upper portion has flowers. This will go a long way toward keeping your garden looking tidier. Simply using a pair of hand shears will do a great job; though they may look a little rough just after shearing, they should fairly quickly send out some new lateral growth to rejuvenate.

Thank you! How far back should I cut them?

Down to nicer looking leaves--generally just below the beginning of the bloomstalks.