hollyhocks

 This is our first year with hollyhocks in bloom.

They're such a romantic old-time flower.

And let's face it, I'm a romantic old-time kinda girl.

We planted a few last summer, and this is their blooming year.

Whenever flowers have their blooming year I think of them as debutantes in the garden.

Hollyhocks can bloom May-September, so the whole summer is their cotillion!

Love those buds.

And the stunning fractal-like star-shaped sepal 

which shows through the petals beneath the stamen...

 They can get to be 6-8' tall!

They're sturdy, not fussy about soil, but they do love the sun.

They self sow easily.

I think they'd look even better if we had a whole big long row,
so we'll plant some more...

 Looks like the bees love them as much as I do...

 I hear the hummingbirds and butterflies do, too...