Are hollyhocks suitable for the DFW area? If so, is planting from seed practical? Will they return each year? Do some varieties handle our summer heat better than others? Any help anyone has will be appreciated! My grandmother grew these in the Texas Panhandle and I'd like to try them if they will do reasonably well.

Hi!!!
Well, I can't offer much info on growing hollyhocks back in Texas. I know I never had much luck growing them in the Kaufman/Terrell area. But out here in New Mexico, they're practically a weed!!! They go to seed and come up all over the place, and even thrive in the cracks of sidewalks. I really can't figure out why they seemed harder to grow back home, and the only difference I can figure out is that it's cooler here, with much lower humidity. Maybe it was the lower humdity and colder winter temps up in the Panhandle that enabled your Grandmother to grow them. Oh, and maybe they like more alkaline dirt??? Anyway, good luck. They sure are nice to have around, and are totally care-free.
Suzy

They grow great here and from my experience they do come back - but I think it's from reseeding. You can get a huge varity of seeds from ebay.

I have a zillion seeds for wild or native or species hollyhocks I'd be happy to send you some for 49 cents postage! They are pinky-purple, about 1/2 the size of four o'clocks, & they bloom all summer. The plants are 4' to 5' tall. They re-seed like maniacs.
Let me know if you'd like some.

Sylvia