Hollyhocks are either biennials or short lived perennials, usually as perennials living around 5 years. Usually this is dependant on how cold the winter is. Hollyhocks are easy to grow from seed so rather than paying over the odds for them at a garden center, give growing from seed a go.

A plant that need little or no attention during the year apart from the flower spikes may need to be supported as Hollyhocks can grow up to 2 meters tall. At the end of the season, collect the seeds from the spent flower heads, save these to grow more next year and remove the dead flower spike.  There maybe more than one flower spike produced. There will be new growth at the bottom of the plant, thats where to cut the flower spike down to. 

An easy plant to have in the garden, with very little care and attention required. A nice easy to plant to have in your garden.