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Hollyhocks are a popular choice for gardeners looking to add height and color to their landscapes. These flowering plants, scientifically known as Alcea, are tall, erect biennials or short-lived perennials that belong to the mallow family. They are renowned for their striking, showy flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Hollyhocks are native to Asia and Europe and have a long history of cultivation dating back to ancient times. They were brought to Europe by the Crusaders and quickly gained popularity due to their beauty and versatility. Today, they can be found in gardens and landscapes all around the world.
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One of the main appeals of hollyhocks is their impressive height, which can reach up to 6-8 feet tall. This makes them ideal for creating a dramatic backdrop or adding vertical interest to a garden. The flowers, which come in a wide range of colors including shades of pink, red, yellow, purple, and white, are arranged in tall, spire-like racemes that bloom from bottom to top. Each flower has a prominent central column with numerous petals radiating outward.

In terms of care, hollyhocks are relatively low-maintenance plants that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.  They are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions but prefer soil that is rich in organic matter. Additionally, hollyhocks benefit from regular watering, especially during dry spells, to ensure healthy growth and abundant flowering.

Propagation of hollyhocks can be done through seeds or by dividing established plants. Seeds should be sown in early spring or late summer, and they usually take about two to three weeks to germinate. Dividing mature plants can be done in early spring or late fall when the plant is dormant.

As with any plant, hollyhocks may be susceptible to certain pests and diseases, such as aphids, rust, and powdery mildew. Regular monitoring and prompt action can help prevent or control these issues.
Overall, hollyhocks are a stunning addition to any garden or landscape. Their tall stature, vibrant flowers, and ability to attract pollinators make them a favorite among garden enthusiasts. Whether used as a focal point, border, or background plant, hollyhocks are sure to make a statement in any outdoor space.

​Oliver David Cook

A living wall is a vertically built structure intentionally covered with vegetation, it is also referred to as a green wall and for good reason. Not only does a vertical garden on an otherwise blank wall look extremely attractive, but there are huge environmental and sustainable advantages to be had too. With the addition of a green wall on a property, private or commercial, the heating and cooling bills can be reduced; it adds thermal benefits to a building, being the most natural form of cladding and aids in reducing urban temperature as well as pollution.

A green wall is an excellent noise insulator, reputedly to absorb over 40% more sound than a conventional building facade, ensuring a quieter environment at home or the office. A sense of well being is created, a positive effect on how the people feel, spirits are lifted, increased happiness and improved mental health, these are all benefits from vertical gardening.

There are living wall modular systems that are available in a kit form to suit the vertical space available and budget. A drip irrigation system should be installed that will be connected to the mains water supply. It is an excellent opportunity to enhance biodiversity by increasing more plant life into an area, other than at ground level only. The chosen plants can be ones that are attractive to bees and specific habitat boxes can be incorporated within the structure that will provide refuge for a number of species such as butterflies, ladybirds and lacewings. A vertical garden can bring nature to an urban environment and whilst doing so improving the health of the people.

With regards to plant selection, this depends on the aspect of the wall and the local climate unique to the area. There are, however, a huge variety of plants that can be used from annuals, perennials, succulents and even edibles.

Spring is a good time to plant as the young plants will establish and grow together and it is important to have a year round interest, thus, incorporate plants with shape, form and colour of foliage as well as flowers.

There are immense benefits to be had from a living wall, if space is limited at ground level, then why not consider growing vertically?

It will be greatly appreciated by the people that use the building, people that are passing by and the biodiversity it creates will be appreciated too by nature.

Plants which possess silver foliage can compliment a garden in many different ways, they provide a distinct contrast planted alongside green foliage and they can provide an all year round interest, brightening up an otherwise lacklustre area of the garden. But, it is not only a dull area that can benefit from the addition of a glaucous colour, a great attribute of silver/grey foliage is the ability to reflect sunlight and conserve water, this is enhanced by the hairy type foliage or a waxy texture of the leaves which many possess.

Many of theses plants are native to hot and dry areas and therefore drought tolerant, requiring low maintenance and will perform well in a full sun area of the garden with well drained soil.

Silver foliage adds elegance and a cool sophistication to the garden and can be found on large trees down to small ground cover shrubs and perennials. Eucalyptus, the snow gum tree, is one of the hardiest of Eucalyptus and the grey
tinged leaves on white twigs radiates an impression of silver, complimented by a grey /white smooth trunk.

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Queen’ is a large shrub which can grow to a height of four metres. Its latin name denotes thin leaves, these having white markings on the edges, giving an affect of a silvery foliage. It is an ideal plant for coastal areas. Popular small to mid-sized shrubs are lavender and Helichrysum, both release pleasant aromas, the latter being more known as the Curry plant due to its distinct curry fragrance.

With regards to small shrubs and perennials, there are plenty available and more to choose from. Convolvulus cneorm is a small shrub native to the mediterranean and displays silk grey hairs on its evergreen foliage, hence it being more known as the Silver Bush.  Santolina or Cotton lavender is ideal for ground cover and filling in gaps within the borders, the yellow pompom flowers provide a nice contrast with the silver fragrant foliage.

Another popular ground cover is the perennial Lambs Ear or
​. It is also known as Silver Carpet and has oval, woolly silver leaves with fine hairs and is suitable for the front of borders, covering areas with its carpet, mat forming
characteristics. There are numerous other silver foliage plants, the following are popular;

- Senecio cineraria/Silver Dust
- Sea Holly/ Eryngiums.
- Cardoon/Cynara cardunculus
- Bluebeard/Caryopteris
- Honeywort/Cerinthe major
- Rose Campion/Lychnis coronaria
- Brunnera macrophylla/Jack Frost

If not already in possession of silver leaf plants, then why not incorporate some into the garden, either in shade or full sun areas and if every cloud has a silver lining, then surely every garden should have some silver foliage.