Q: I love hollyhocks for their colorful, crinkled flowers, and I have a row of them planted along the edge of my patio which I grew from seed. I was disappointed last year, however, as unsightly orange and yellow pustules developed on the tops of the leaves, with darker spots on the undersides. The leaves then dried up and fell off. What caused this, and how can I prevent it from happening again this year?
A: These are telltale symptoms of hollyhock rust, a common disease caused by the fungus Puccinia malvacearum. It can spread to other members of the mallow family, too, including hibiscus.
'It tends to start low and work up the plant, also contaminating stems,' says John Negus, a gardening expert. As you experienced, badly affected hollyhock plants lose their leaves and fail to thrive. But luckily, there are a few things you can do to reduce the risks.
3 tips for preventing hollyhock rust
Keep these pretty flowering plants in good health with this advice.
1. Dispose of them after they've bloomed
The fungus that causes hollyhock rust overwinters on infected leaves and plant debris ready to release more spores in spring, says Anne Swithinbank, a gardening expert.
Even if the plants don't show signs of rust in their first year of growth, they often will in their second, when they put on their floral display. So, many gardeners choose to dispose of all plant matter once they've finished flowering.
Fresh seeds can then be planted in a new spot – Burpee has a beautiful hollyhock variety, 'Chaters Pink', available to buy that will add vibrant color to a flower bed. 'Good moisture-retentive soil and space for air circulation give plants the best chance,' says Anne.
If you really want to keep your hollyhocks for another year after they've bloomed, cutting them right back to the soil in the fall can reduce the risks of the disease. Dispose of the cuttings rather than putting them on your compost heap, advises John.
2. Inspect plants early and remove affected leaves
It's best to check hollyhocks frequently for any developing signs of rust as they grow, and quickly remove and destroy affected material. Be sure to clean your pruners afterward, to avoid spreading the disease.
If you're purchasing pot-bought plants from a garden center, ensure you check them for symptoms, too – just one infected plant can spread the disease to any other hollyhocks you may have.
3. Apply a fungicide
Spraying plants with a fungicide, such as BioAdvanced Disease Control for Roses, Flowers and Shrubs, available from Amazon, can keep the disease at bay.
'Treat plants before the rusty red spots have appeared and continue throughout the season,' John advises. These products can be effective against rose black spot, too.
FAQs
Are there rust-resistant varieties of hollyhocks?
'The attractively bicolored Halo Series are described as rust-resistant and worth trying,' says Anne Swithinbank, a gardening expert. The 'Happy Lights Hollyhock Mix' is also said to be less likely to succumb to this disease.
How does hollyhock rust spread?
Spores erupt from pustules and spread via air currents, appearing as if from nowhere, even where hollyhocks have not been grown, explains Anne. However, wild mallows are another source, so removing mallow weed species can help to reduce the spread.
These cottage garden plants are well worth growing for their spires of satin-like blooms, so don't let the threat of rust put you off. For the easiest solution, simply replace them once they've finished their summertime show – it's inexpensive and easy to grow these flowers from seed.
