End of bloom...

The hollyhocks are nearly finished blooming, and since it's the first year they bloomed, there weren't enough flower stalks to help the plant stand upright. So they've turned into garden art, twining and leaning, even stretched out along the ground. Still, the color is gorgeous... nearly black in the shade and brilliant maroon with the light shining behind. The variety is called Jet Black, and was planted in Jefferson's gardens at Monticello.