Helping your hollyhock return next year: what matters over winter

This is a hollyhock, and as it is already in the ground, there is a good chance it will return next year if the crown survives winter. In late August, do not cut it back yet or give more fertiliser, as soft new growth can be damaged before it hardens for the cold.

Once frost has taken the leaves and the stem looks tired, cut it back to around ten to twenty centimetres. Then put an airy covering around the base, such as dry leaves, spruce branches or another light mulch. The aim is to moderate changes between frost without snow cover, thaw and renewed cold, particularly relevant farther north in Sweden where winter conditions can fluctuate.

Avoid packing heavy, wet soil or a dense layer directly against the plant, as hollyhocks are vulnerable when the crown stays cold and wet. Winter waterlogging can be almost a greater risk than the cold itself. In spring, remove the covering gradually as the ground thaws and watch for new leaves at the base.