One of the biggest joys of gardening is discovering another use for everything growing whether by fate of hand or in the wild. It might be a brand new idea or very old and buried under years of technological advances replacing the simple basics. Nonetheless, a new gardening discovery will always add a smile to the day. This was certainly the case when Xomba writer, Mia Northwest, introduced me to the idea of hollyhock dolls the other day. As it turns out, hollyhock dolls are from days long ago when toys were made from whatever was available at home. They are from days when play and imagination were synonymous. Kids frolicked in the garden. Survival and life skills were passed down from parents and grandparents as the chores were done each day along with the appreciation of life’s beauty and simple pleasures. Making beautiful hollyhock dolls with Mother and Grandmother made a young girl feel special.

With their tall stalks lined with elegant, frilly flowers, hollyhocks have a somewhat stately look. It is no wonder that the dolls rendered from hollyhock flowers resemble little dancers ready for a formal ball. As I watched other flowers and grasses swaying and dancing in the breeze to the music of nature, I knew it was the perfect day to get Miss Hollyhock ready to make her grand appearance. Will you join us?

There are a few variations of hollyhock dolls and the necessary materials will depend on Ms. Hollyhock’s destination. One open flower and one bud are needed for the most basic hollyhock doll. Two open flowers may be used to make a layered long formal dress. Arms can be added with very small sticks, toothpicks, skewers, or even more flower buds. A skewer works well to make Miss Hollyhock dance. If she is going to be active, a piece of floral wire will help hold her head and body together.

 First, snip the stem off the open flower. If using a skewer to hold the doll, then cut the stem from the bud also. If not, then the stem of the bud can be used to attach her head if desired. Peel enough green from the bud to expose her face. I peeled some off in the first steps but later removed all the green from the bud to show a different look.

 Option 1: Push the skewer up through the center of the flower. Push the bud down on the skewer to attach her head. Option 2: If not using a skewer, a hole should still be made slightly smaller than the bud stem. Use a skewer, nail, or anything that is the proper size. After making the hole, slide the stem of the bud through the hole to attach her head.

If Miss Hollyhock is going to be very busy and active, her head can be secured to her body with a piece of floral wire. Cut twice the length needed. Fold in half in a “U” shape. Carefully unfold the bud and push the wire down through the base of the bud and top of her body. Reach under her dress and twist the wire to secure. Trim off any extra wire.

Miss Hollyhock will appreciate some arms to give you a hug for bringing her to life. Use your imagination and be creative to give her some accessories or unique personality. Add another open flower to the back of her head with the opening facing forward to give her a big bonnet. Change or remove some of the bud petals to give her a different hairstyle. Add a tightly closed bud between her body and head to make her taller. Make some friends for her. Give her a special name.

 When she is ready to rest, let her float in a bowl of water. Invite her to grace the center of your dinner table. Add a candle for some ambience. Imagine Miss Hollyhock and her friends as centerpieces at a formal party. I can picture her elegant double-layer evening gown made with one white hollyhock and one black. Yes, there really is a black hollyhock. However, Miss Hollyhock would feel just as comfortable in her pastels at a garden party or little girl’s tea party.

 Don’t keep all the fun to yourself. Keep the tradition going and pass the joy of hollyhock dolls down to a special child. My son claims that hollyhock dolls resemble one of the Pokémon characters. So you see, hollyhock dolls still have a place in today’s world of toys, imaginative play, and in teaching kids the wonders of gardening.