Sponsored By:

What are Priscilla hollyhocks?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

April 29, 2002

Also Sponsored By: Michigan Bulb—>Click here.

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading – Plus Butterfly and Hummingbird Collection—>Click here.

Hollyhocks Miniature, Classic & Black Magic—>Click here.

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea Linnaeus) are marvelous plants for childhood—making ladies and gentlemen with the flowers, buds, and toothpicks. Hollyhock dolls belong to the shady patches of lawns during the hot days of summer.

Hollyhocks have been cultivated for so long that no one is certain where these magical flowers originated, but it is thought they came from Asia Minor. In southern Illinois and the bootheel of Missouri, there are a few gardeners that grow a particular hollyhock—Priscilla's. The seeds have passed between gardeners since 1839.

advertisement

Miniature Hollyhock Sidalcea malviflora – Want to enjoy old-fashioned charm in smaller spaces? Miniature Hollyhock is the answer. A petite, long blooming perennial with shell pink flowers, it looks just like true hollyhocks, but in a more compact, dainty size. Height: 2 - 4' . Zone 4 to 9. —>Click here for $20 off your first order of $50 or more at Michigan Bulb!  [On Sale...]

Priscilla hollyhocks are small; the plants only grow to about 48 inches in height. The rosy-pink flowers with maroon veins are diminutive by today's standards, slightly larger than a quarter.

Priscilla was a child born into slavery. When she was about 10 years old, her owner died and his 'belongings' were sold to pay off his debts. Priscilla took from the plantation a handful of hollyhock seeds.

Priscilla was purchased by a Cherokee chief. She grew the hollyhocks around the home of her new owner. In December of 1838, the Cherokee were forced from their land and Priscilla once again took hollyhock seeds.

Bazil Silkwood ran an inn in Mulkeytown, Illinois. He was in Jonesboro on business the day the Cherokees passed by the town. Silkwood had known Priscilla's first owner and he recognized the girl. He purchased her freedom for a thousand dollars and took the child home to Silkwood Inn. Priscilla was one of sixteen orphans raised by Bazil Silkwood and his wife.

Priscilla Silkwood inherited 40 acres and a house from her parents. She died in 1892, but her hollyhocks still grow at the Inn and around her home.

The Silkwood Inn was built by Bazil Silkwood and his wife in 1827. To view a photograph of the Inn and read its history, click on the link:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilfrankl/feature1.htm

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitor's Bureau has other stories of the Priscilla hollyhock legend. To view the webpage, click on the link:

http://rosecity.net/tears/trail/priscila.html

VAS Services Ltd. has posted a photograph of an old-fashioned hollyhock. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.vassl.com/images3/hibiscus10.jpg

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

Where do marshmallows come from? Herbal Folklore - July 8, 2002
Caesarweed (Urena lobata Linnaeus) Plant of the Week - October 25, 2004
What was the tree-wool of India? Plants that Changed History - February 19, 2002
What is the Mayan cotton tale? Plants that Changed History - March 12, 2002
What are the African connections to American cotton? Plants that Changed History - March 5, 2002

Butterfly and Hummingbird Collection

Springhill Nursery®

Create a wildlife habitat with three each: Zagreb Coreopsis, Keys of Heaven, Orange Glory Flower, Blue Butterfly Delphinium, Red Penstemon; and one Black Knight Butterfly Bush. Click here for $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!  [More Gardens...]

		Brilliant Miniature Hollyhock Springhill Nursery® Brilliant Miniature Hollyhock Sidalcea hybrida 'Brilliant' – Charming mini hollyhocks need no staking! Dainty, rose-red flowers cover the sturdy 30-32" stems for 2 to 3 months, beginning in early to midsummer, attracting butterflies all the while. A splashy accent for borders and bouquets. Click here for $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!  [More Hollyhocks...]  [On Sale...]
		Hollyhocks, Country Mix Springhill Nursery® Alcea rosea – Classic single-flowered hollyhocks in a striking mix of colors: mahogany, rose, pink, apricot, yellow, ivory. 4-6' stems covered with 3-5" blooms mid-summer to early fall. Space 2-3' apart. #1 field-grown plants. Deer tend to avoid. Zones 2-8. Click here for $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!  [More Hollyhocks...]  [On Sale...]
		Black Magic Hollyhock Michigan Bulb® Alcea rosea 'Black Magic' – Tall and sturdy Black Hollyhock reaches 6' tall and bursts into bloom with dark blue summer flowers. These old-fashioned perennials are perfect against a building, fence or wall in full sun Click here for $20 off your first order of $50 or more at Michigan Bulb!  [On Sale...]
killerplants Recommended Seed and Nursery Stores
BACK TO TOP