GALENA’S HOLLYHOCKS

Galena Hollyhock History Galena, Illinois is known for its interesting history, architecture, lead mining, General Grant and the Civil War.  Galena is also know as the Hollyhock City.  Here's how hollyhocks were introduced to Galena:  Mrs. Frank G. Meller, an English lady who emigrated to America, longed for the beauty of her native country's flower - the hollyhock, England's most popular flower.  She eagerly searched every seed catalog only to find hollyhock seed was not listed. Mrs. Meller then wrote a letter to her parents asking them to send her the seeds of the hollyhock.  The seeds arrived and were strewn about the lawn.  Thus, Mrs. Frank G. Meller introduced the hollyhock in Galena.   When the flowers began to bloom, her friends admired them, asked for seeds and planted them.  Mrs. Meller's children threw seeds along the hillsides spreading the beauty of the flowers from the private gardens to public places enabling everyone to behold their beauty. Your purchase of Galena Hollyhock seeds will benefit the Spirits of the Galena/Jo Daviess County History Museum.  The price is $4.95.  Tax, shipping and handling are $1.33.  You can send your check for $6.28 to the Galena History Museum at 211 S. Bench St, Galena IL 61036.  Or you can order by phone (815-777-9129) or fax (815-777-9131) using a Visa or MasterCard.  Click here for a form you can use by mail or fax.  We regret that we are unable to accept online orders at this time. Richard Gear Hobbs, Ph.D. and descendant of Captain H.H.Gear was the first manager of the Galena Museum Association in 1938.  He wrote a wonderful poem about Galena's Hollyhocks that is reprinted on the card which comes with your hollyhock seeds. Information about planting and care of hollyhocks is also included.

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