on every corner...

June 23, 2025 • 7 Comments

...in every median, in every yard they appear. Almost as ubiquitous as Russian thistles or tumbleweeds for which the desert Southwest is famous, carried by the wind to every available inch of ground, hollyhocks are definitely having their own moment. Mind you, the needs of these glorious plants are a bit of a mystery to me since they seem to place themselves in the most horrendous soils and locations. Malvarrosas in Spanish, hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are literally everywhere this year. With their huge color spectrum, one could use them as the basis for a book on color theory. Although this blog is again image heavy, I suspect the sampling here represents a relatively small number of colors in which hollyhocks can be found. If any scientist wanted to, a chaos theory-based study could be done on these gems that some would probably call weeds. They are near perfection in front of a stucco wall.

Hollyhocks 1 2025
Holllyhocks 12 2025

Although the solid-colored flowers are stunning in their own right, there is nothing to compare with the veins of the petals over and through which assorted colors seep and spread.

Holllyhocks 8 2025

Hollyhocks 5 2025

Even the rusty and yellow tones in the white flower below are stunning.

Hollyhocks 7 2025

Perhaps it was my lack of attention or the fact that brighter colors primarily attracted my attention in the past, I find the linen-like texture and tone of the hollyhocks in the next two photographs quite compelling. A costume could be made of this fabric.

Hollyhocks 2 2025 Hollyhocks 3 2025

Showing off in front of a coyote fence with yarrow in the background, the salmon color of the hollyhock below invites the eye and the camera lens.

Hollyhocks 9 2025

And as a counter, here is another example of a more subdued, slightly brown-toned hollyhock, suitable for a costume.

Hollyhocks 10 2025 Hollyhocks 11 2025

Thanks to Victoria, Jean & Sam, Kay, Barbara F. R., Marilyn G., TTT, Steve, Terry T., and M. F. B. for writing this week. I hope that wherever you find yourselves, cameras in hand, you are safe and well.

until next Monday,

a passion for the image©

Keywords: Alcea rosea, Blacks Crossing Photography, Daryl A. Black, flowers, hollyhocks, new mexico, photography

Comments

Steve Immel(non-registered)

These are gorgeous, Daryl. Saturated or subtle they all soar. I, too, am drawn to the muted images in which that fabric like petals take center stage. That characteristic is particularly evident in the two cream-colored blossoms where every tendril, fiber and pattern in the flower is evident. The limited range of values and colors is terrific.

Ingrid(non-registered)

Best year for hollyhocks and best photos of them I have ever seen

TTT(non-registered)

was there music accompanying this weeks treasure chest of hollyhocks? Gorgeous pix today. LIke Connie, Love ‘em but find them difficult to grow and don’t understand how they do so well popping up between sidewalk cracks all over santa fe.

Lawrence Jones(non-registered)

Lovely as usual! I don’t recall seeing hollyhocks down this way. Wish we had them like NM.

Connie Taylor(non-registered)

My grandfathers name was Hollie Cox and his house was surrounded by hollyhocks. As a child before I learned to spell and read I assumed his name was Hollyhocks. I love them still and fail to grow them well. The colors you have captured are stunning.

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