Hollyhocks, an American Garden Staple

By Maureen Gilmer

The hollyhocks persisted at that site. In 1950, they came full circle when seed was sent to the daughter of the last chief of the Cherokees in Oklahoma. To this day they grow among the Cherokee homes and are named "Priscilla" after the girl who loved hollyhock.

But the hollyhock was cultivated long before Priscilla's day. Those we recognize today are believed to be of Asian origin, because they are depicted in Chinese art as early as the 9th century, symbolizing passing time. Plants have been cultivated in Europe for the past five hundred years with seed imported from China.

Some believe the name was derived from Crusaders, who carried seeds gathered in the Holy Land.