Underrated summer blooms: Hollyhocks

One of my favorite early summer signs is all of the flowers that pop up, but I think irises and hydrangeas get most of the spotlight. I think hollyhocks are just as stunning and don't get anywhere near the same level of attention! I think maybe that's because they're typically not blooming in gardens and temples...I usually see them on roadside edges or against fences.

I loved this scene where a bunch of them were growing by a local field! They look so whimsical to me, probably because they grow quite tall. I'd never seen these kinds of flowers in my home country, so they feel like a real treat when I get to enjoy them here.

Do you see many hollyhocks (if any?) in your part of Japan?