Plant Profile: Alcea rosea 'Simplex'

I bought seed of this plant from Jelitto.  It is a single-flowered hollyhock.  It was easy to germinate and  to grow.  Jelitto classifies this as a perennial rather than a biennial; however, last year it didn't bloom.  Its bloom period in Chicago starts in early July.

Plant form; flower, and leaf

Plant color combo with tiger lily

Gardens at Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello

I traveled over the past week and had the chance to view some of the gardens in Williamsburg and at Monticello.  First, at Williamsburg, there was an example of a formal, English-style garden at the Governor's mansion (a lot of boxwood parterres, clipped yew, and topiaries) and some nice cottage gardens behind the more modest residences.  At Monticello, the vegetable garden was the star attraction because of its site (what a view on top of the mountain) and its size. 

Both Williamsburg and Monticello are out-of-the way garden destinations and are good if you are in the area.

Governor's Mansion Garden Williamsburg

Cottage garden Williamsburg

Monticello Vegetable Garden

Monticello Vegetable Garden