Hollyhocks have adorned country gardens for centuries and no traditional cottage garden would be complete without them. These days they also have a useful role to play in adding vertical interest to contemporary designs and have featuring in recent show gardens.
Sadly however, they can be affected by hollyhock rust (Puccinia malvacearum), a fungal disease which is more prevalent in some areas of the country than others. It's spread by airborne spores and tends to be worse in wet summers but once you have it, you always have it.
Non chemical controls include treating hollyhocks as biennials and discarding after 2 years, avoiding dense planting, not using seed from infected plants etc.
If you love hollyhocks but have given up due to the rust issue, there is a solution. Alcea ficifolia (the Fig Leaved Hollyhock), is a lesser known hollyhock and is very rust resistant. A true perennial, it originates in Siberia and is more vigorous than the common hollyhock. An excellent choice for any garden, it's available in yellow and pink.