Elizabeth asks, “I can remember my grandmother talking about making dolls from Hollyhock flowers. Do you know how to make them?”
Hollyhocks are a common old fashion summer blooming perennial flower that is often found in a cottage garden setting. It can grow up to eight feet tall and the large ruffled flowers come in a range of colors from white, blue, red, purple, pink and yellow. I’ve also seen black Hollyhocks!
Making dolls from Hollyhock flowers is a craft enjoyed by children for centuries. They are mentioned in gardening books 200 years ago!
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It is easy to make the doll!
– Select a fully opened Hollyhock flower in the color you like and turn it upside down to form the skirt.
– Pinch out the pistil and stamens from the center of the flower.
– Push a toothpick through the thick end of the flower and add as many flower skirts as you wish.
– Select an unopened flower bud for the head and place it on the toothpick, leaving enough toothpick above the head to attach a hat.
– Select a flower of the color of your choosing to make a very fashionable hat!
– Some cut a piece of carrot to anchor the doll, so it can stand. Others take markers to draw eyes and mouth to the head. Sprigs of Rosemary can be added for arms.
This is a wonderful activity to share the love of gardening with your daughters and spend quality time with each other making lifetime memories!
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter