Hollyhock

I have always admired the tall spires of this biennial, but it is a complete pain in the ass to maintain. When I grew it in Southwestern Michigan, Japanese Beetles were intimately attracted to it and would devour the plant in days, leaving it to look like compost. I have heard it referred to as the "shithouse flower", for it has been often seen in country settings planted next to the "two holer."  Here in the Northwoods, it is very subject to rust (fungal infection), which it suffered from here at Rauhallinen Farm this summer.  When it was done blooming, I jerked all four plants up and tossed them in the woods. As with other aspects of life, some things of beauty that attract us end up becoming decisions gone awry.