Hollyhocks are perhaps the Proprietor's favourite flower and, indeed, made an appearance on the First Paddock front label one year. This year they have been startlingly good round the vineyards, reaching in many cases easily four metres in height.

Here some pretty pinks are in early flowering.

Some tips for those with hollyhock aspirations :

1. Screech to a halt  outside a garden whose flowers you have admired from afar. Approach owner. Try to look as if this is not a home invasion. As nicely as possible, ask owner if he or she would be kind enough to keep you some seed at end of growing season.
2.  On receipt of seed, return favour with a bottle or two of Two Paddocks.
3. Plant seeds, then put seedlings in favoured spots — sunny and sheltered — soil not important (these in shingle driveway).
4. Water  occasionally, but keep out of their way. The seeds are doin’ it for themselves!
5. Brag to your friends as if you are some kind of innate Hollyhock genius. They may even believe you.