Q: I have grown hollyhocks along a backyard fence this summer and they are blooming beautifully. I'd like to save the seeds for sowing new plants – what's the best way to do this? A: Collecting seeds is a fun and low-cost way to grow a fresh batch of flowers. And with hollyhocks , it's simple, as the robust seed pods are easy to handle.
There are just a few things to bear in mind, such as harvesting the seeds at the right time and storing them correctly if you don't plan to sow them straight away. Below, the experts explain how to go about this rewarding task for more of these cottage garden favorites. Hollyhocks produce tall flower spikes in a range of pretty hues Hold back the temptation to deadhead these tall flowering plants and they'll produce a generous supply of seeds.
Left alone, these seeds will eventually fall and self-sow. By collecting them instead, you can control where new plants will pop up – perhaps you want to grow some along a front yard wall , for instance. When to harvest hollyhock seeds Leave the flowers on your hollyhocks to allow seed pods to develop Anna Ohler , the owner of Bright Lane Gardens nursery, says, 'After the flowers have bloomed and faded, hollyhocks produce seed pods that start off green and gradually turn brown as they mature.
'You should wait until these pods are fully dry and brown, which usually occurs in late summer to early fall,' she continues. 'At this point, the seeds inside will be black or dark brown, indicating they are rea.