Hollyhocks

We have very poor soil here; no doubt living in the mountains on granite is the reason.  However we have put upgraded earth on some of the beds and we have a nice range of flowers that come up every summer.

That is with the exception of the hollyhocks.  All over the area, hollyhocks grow in great profusion and often reach up to five feet high.

But not with us.  And it's not like we neglect the little beasts.  We water them and cosset them, but after six years of effort this is the best we have managed so far.  A poor stunted little thing but at least it has managed it's first flower this year.

She Who Must Be Obeyed is constantly aggravated by the sight of a group of them just up the road growing healthily with absolutely no care at all.  Go figure!