Hollyhocks
Another plant that I had tried growing from seed several times in San Jose was hollyhocks. It took me awhile to figure out that they look like a very common weed when they start, and I would usually end up pulling them by mistake. So this time I started them indoors and then planted them in spots where I could keep track of them. The deer seem to enjoy them but since they’re right next to the house I am getting a few blooms. A Victorian garden just isn’t complete without a few hollyhocks.