Is this the biggest hollyhock in the Forest? (From Salisbury Journal)

Is this the biggest hollyhock in the Forest?

6:00pm Friday 20th July 2012 in News By Karen Bate

LAST week this hollyhock in Ringwood stood at 6ft tall.

Today it is standing at a majestic 9ft 7in and is showing no signs of slowing down.

It hasn't exactly been a blazing summer, but this plant doesn't seem to have noticed.

With a distinct lack of sunshine and bucket loads of rain, perhaps the soil is the secret of the giant plant?

But Hightown Gardens resident Robin Shutler, who has only grown hollyhocks once before, doesn't think so.

“The soil here is very poor, it's gritty and dry and there is really just a couple of inches of top soil, so I don't think it is that,” he said.

Growing I planted a few seeds in the autumn and, to be honest, I haven't given them any special treatment at all but over the last few months they have shot up and are still growing.

“We couldn't believe it when we saw it peeking over the top of the hedge.

“The birds, particularly the sparrows love them and are pecking away at the leaves all day.”

In the 1982 edition of Guinness Book of World Records, it is recorded that the tallest Hollyhock in the world - reported but not photographed - was one of 24ft 3in grown by WP Walshe of Eastbourne, East Sussex in 1961.

Mr Shutler added: “My neighbours and visitors have all been quite surprised and shocked at the size of this hollyhock.

“It will be quite a stunner when it comes into flower and will have bright yellow blooms.”