What to Plant with Hollyhocks: Companions for a Cottage Garden Look

Hollyhocks are a beloved old-fashioned flower that evoke nostalgia for cottage gardens. With their tall spires of colorful blooms hollyhocks make a statement in any garden. They work well in perennial beds and borders, cutting gardens, and along fences or walls.

When planting hollyhocks, it’s important to choose the right companion plants to enhance their beauty. The right plant partners can provide color contrast, hide bare lower stems, attract pollinators, and fill space once the hollyhocks have finished blooming.

Best Companion Plants for Hollyhocks

Here are some of the best companion plants to grow with hollyhocks

Cottage Garden Flowers

Hollyhocks have a relaxed, informal look that pairs beautifully with other cottage garden favorites Foxgloves, lupines, delphiniums, baby’s breath, yarrow, cosmos, zinnias, marigolds, and snapdragons complement hollyhocks perfectly These plants have a similar old-fashioned charm and height that matches the hollyhocks.

Sun-Loving Perennials

Since hollyhocks thrive in full sun locations, they combine nicely with other sun-loving perennials. Try planting with coreopsis, bee balm, black-eyed Susans, Shasta daisies, lavender, ornamental grasses, veronica, and gaillardia.

Vines

Let vines like morning glories, moonflowers, scarlet runner beans, sweet peas, or clematis climb up the tall hollyhock stems. The vining plants will hide the bare lower stems of the hollyhocks later in the season.

Shrubs and Small Trees

Place hollyhocks behind shrubs like lilacs, spirea, forsythia, viburnum, and magnolias. The shrubs provide a nice backdrop that won’t compete with the hollyhocks. Small flowering trees like redbuds, dogwoods, and fruit trees also make a lovely background.

Annual Flowers

For a punch of contrasting color, plant annuals like zinnias, sunflowers, dahlias, and cosmos around the base of hollyhocks. Marigolds, nasturtiums, petunias, and calibrachoa are low-growing annuals that add bright color at the front of a hollyhock bed. These can be replanted each year for a changing display.

Where to Plant Hollyhocks

In addition to choosing good plant partners, proper placement in the garden is key:

Cottage Garden Beds

Hollyhocks are a quintessential cottage garden flower. Plant them in a dedicated bed surrounded by old-fashioned companion plants. Create a backdrop with shrubs and use perennials, vines, and annuals in the foreground.

Cutting Gardens

The long-lasting cut flowers of hollyhocks are perfect for cutting gardens. Plant them in rows with other flowers like zinnias, dahlias, and snapdragons.

Along Fences or Walls

Grow hollyhocks against fences, garden walls, sheds, or barns. They will cover up unattractive features while their height draws the eye upward.

Near Gates or Entries

Position hollyhocks on either side of a front walkway or gateway. They make a beautiful entry greeting and hide the view beyond.

Pollinator Gardens

Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees flock to hollyhock flowers. Include them in beds designed to attract pollinators.

Choose the Right Site

When siting hollyhocks, keep these conditions in mind:

• Full sun (at least 6 hours direct sunlight per day)
• Well-draining soil
• Shelter from strong winds
• Space for mature size (give 1-3 feet between plants depending on variety)

Provide these basic cultural requirements and the hollyhocks will thrive alongside their ideal plant partners.

With their tall spires and cheery colors, hollyhocks are the perfect complement to many other flowers, perennials, shrubs, and vines. By pairing hollyhocks with plants that share their height and growing preferences, you can create a stunning old-fashioned display.