New HollyHock did not bloom, can leaves be cut down

[Laura JD]

I planted Holly Hocks last Spring. I never got any blooms, but tons of leaves. Some look dead, but still strongly attached to the ground. Should these dead but secure looking leaves be cut down?

[shadylane]

Hollyhocks take two to three years to establish and bloom if sown by seed. I had sown hollyhocks in a shade line area and it took at least three years to bloom...I would let them die back natrually, the brown leaves are ok, but if you like a tidy look it doesn't hurt to remove them. On a gardening note* plant them in full sun, growing them in light shade tends to bend the flower stalks towards the light.