Today we’re in southwestern Idaho visiting with Kyla Westerberg, who is sharing some favorite flowers—basically, anything that offers a long period of bloom and attracts wildlife to the garden.
Beautiful hollyhocks (Alcea rosea, Zones 2–10) in their prime. Drier climates like that of Idaho are good for hollyhocks because the lower humidity helps reduce the rust disease that plagues hollyhocks in wetter areas.
These hollyhocks are on the decline, with most going to seed, although a few final flowers are opening. They are still loved by monarch butterflies.
A ten-lined June beetle has discovered this coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–8). The large antennae identify this particular beetle as a male. It uses the antennae to detect the pheromones released by female beetles.
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida, Zones 3–9) is a workhorse in Kyla’s garden and gives a long season of interest with its abundant yellow flowers.
A stately double hollyhock reaches over 9 feet tall! It is clear that hollyhocks love growing in Kyla’s garden.
Coneflowers intermingle with blousy guara (Gaura lindheimeri, Zones 5–9).
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Comments
We have traveled many places but have never seen Idaho. It looks like it is Hollyhock Heaven! I love hollyhocks but have had no success growing them in my humid shady gardens. You have done a lovely job with your flowers. Thanks for sharing.
Keep on gardenin*.
Linda Colson, New Jersey
These pictures were awesome. I've never thought of putting guara with coneflowers...adding to my next year list. I'm also in NJ and agree with Linda...I'm amazed to see Hollyhocks with no rust. I gave up.
Love the hollyhocks.
I have never seen hollyhocks that beautiful. Thank you.
I love the photo of the echinacea, gaura and honeybee against the rail of the fence. Very crisp focus. Thanks for sharing these pictures of your lovely flowers.
How how I wish I could have hollyhocks! Yours are so lovely.
I'm late to see your garden post, but better late than never- Because your Hollyhocks are really inspiring me to keep trying to get mine established. They are all beautiful, but I"m especially in love with that simple pale pink one you have! Thanks for posting!
Thank you for the photo of the hollyhocks in all their stages of glory. I leave many of my summer perennials until late fall for birds and pollinators and also for the stark beauty of the dry stalks.
Mine favorite flower is Peak Bloom
I wish hollyhocks would grow in my garden, they are so gorgeous!
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