Seeds will become available from May.
If you are interested in my Mini Grow & Use Guides, please email me for processing at minette@tonoli.co.nz during the shop's vacation dates.
The physical nursery and gates sales table plant stand is also closed over winter and will be up and running in spring 2025 for the 2025/26 growing season.
Always happy to answer emails, and remember to follow my socials for herb inspiration throughout the year. @meadowsweetherbsnz on both Insta and Facebook.
Hollyhock – Mixed
$7.50
A flowering PERENNIAL, often grown as a BIENNIAL, in the mallow family, that can grow to over 2.4m in height. The plants have an erect, unbranched habit with large lobed or toothed leaf blades and very tall flower spikes bearing many attractive single flowers in various colours.
The plant does well in almost any well-drained soil in a full sun position, and can grow in semi-shade. Tall flower spikes may need staking.
The flowers, leaves, root and stem are edible and it has a long history of medicinal use.
Description
Young leaves are eaten either raw or cooked and although they have a mild flavour, they do not have the most enjoyable texture. Flower petals and flower buds are eaten raw, added to salads, or as a decoration on cakes etc. A nutritious starch is obtained from the root.
Flower petals make a refreshing tea.
Medicinal actions include antiinflammatory, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient and febrifuge.
The plant has been noted to be used to alleviate chest comlaints and to improve blood circulation. The root is astringent and demulcent and applied fresh and crushed as a poultice to ulcers. A common medicine in Tibet.
Fibres from the stems can be used to make paper, and the leaves can be added to the compost as an activator.
FLowers can be used as a dye herb.
