Ornamental and medicinal, the Hollyhock flower is wonderful

Fiann Ó Nualláin has moved from mallows as medicine to rediscover the benefits of delightful hollyhocks.

This is the first year in 15 years that I haven’t been elbow-deep in preparing for or constructing a show garden or summer exhibition display.

It has given me some time to update my own garden which is more of a collection of experiments and a place to forage, than a garden per se. I have my usual herbs and veg on the go, but I’ve been editing the borders and refreshing some containers.