They grow and bloom here fine but are often infested with rust. One outlet I frequent is even currently displaying a related mallow family plant that is coming off the trucks from the grower with rust.

I have also decided to try a fall planting of hollyhocks. I've never grown hollyhocks, but am aware of the rust issue. Park Seeds sells a rust resistant strain of hollyhocks. I'm assuming a sunny site with good air circulation should also help since rust is a fungal disease.

While doing my research I read that while they are growing to spray them with Neem Oil.

I also read that the treatment for rust is Copper Sulfate.

Is my info correct? I would like to be prepared and hopefully be successful.

I'm also wondering if they need good circulation, why do I see pictures showing groupings of these with lovely blooms. I thought you just let the seeds fall from the plants and grow where they may. Am I getting this wrong? Thanks, Carol

Many people just ignore the rust, and concentrate on the flowers.

I don't spray. I'm just too lazy. If something doesn't look presentable without spraying, I don't grow it. I'm going to try rust resistant plants and good air circulation. If that doesn't work, this will be a one time experiment.

I have shovel pruned mine. The rust was so bad they looked like carp from clear down the street. I give up. I tried for three years. They had excellent air circulation out by our mailbox with no other plants near them except Stella D'Oro daylilies at their feet.

they remind me of my grandmother who lived in Denver where they grew in alleys, they were the single farmyard/barnyard mix. Can't remember the exact name.

Wow! That is a lot of rust if it made them so orange they looked like carp.

Or goldfish.

I'm starting to get some discolouration (yellowing) on one of my plants. However, it is pretty well done flowering. If your plants are living long enough to provide a display and some seeds, I wouldn't give up on them.