Perennials That Go Well With Hollyhocks

Garden Design

• Perennials do well in a sunny garden near a fence or wall. Perennial border beds are easier to maintain when they are accessible from two sides. Stepping stones within the perennial garden make access easier, too. Choose a location safe from wind that allows free flow of air. Many fungus and mildew problems are avoided by having adequate air circulation.

Soil Preparation

• Perennials such as irises, roses, peony, pincushion flower and candy tuft are often seen in garden beds with hollyhocks. Perennials such as these thrive in nutrient-rich soil amended with compost. Backyard compost is easily made in a bin or pile. It contains the full range of 17 nutrients perennials need to thrive. Compost releases nutrients slowly into soil at a rate compatible with plants' ability to absorb them.

Other Perennials

• Hollyhocks grow 24 to 60 inches in height and are most often planted as a backdrop for medium-tall and short perennials. The clear blue shades of medium-height delphiniums complement pink hollyhocks. Perennial day lilies planted in groups of three or five provide the greatest color impact. Candy tuft, silver-mound sage and cushion chrysanthemums are perennials that grow low to the ground for a border edging in a garden with hollyhocks.

Native Plant Perennials

• Native plants require little irrigation and few soil additives. Showy Penstemon and balloon flower Penstemon are native North American plants that grow to 4 feet in height and have a flowering stalk. They are similar in appearance to the traditional perennial garden favorite foxglove. Yarrow blooms in late spring before hollyhocks. It is a native plant that also attracts butterflies. Sierra columbine is a delicately flowered 3-foot tall plant that does well in front of the taller hollyhocks.