Flower exceeding 12 feet surprises owner
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Sharon Flamino displays her hollyhock flower that has reached heights of 12-feet and taller as it grew this past season. Photo by John Rusac

The way that Sharon Flamino's hollyhock flower is growing, one could think it is trying for an American or world record.

Flamino of Williamsville said this was the first year she has planted hollyhocks and had beginner's luck.

"I didn't even use fertilizer," she said. "Maybe I should have, and could have had the world record."

Photographed by The Amherst Bee a month ago, the plant stood at about 12 feet, but Flamino said it has grown another 3 to 4 inches since then.

Searching the Internet, she came across one site that registered a plant at 19 feet in the United Kingdom.

While one of the flowers stands out among the bunch, they "all went crazy," she said.

"I don't know what happened this year; the whole front is covered in flowers," Flamino said.

Since she was a child, Flamino has had an interest in gardening, but joked that she is not a professional by any means. Flamino said she gardened off and on while growing up and has always made an effort to live healthy.

Referring to Jack in the Beanstalk, Flamino said the hollyhocks in her Saber Lane garden just kept growing throughout the summer, reaching the second floor windows.

Flamino's desire for a natural garden sprouts into other aspects of her life, including her business, Awakening Natural Healing. She focuses on locally made products for natural healing.

As her blossoming flower continues to reach new heights, Flamino said she plans to continue her search into records, locally, nationally and worldwide.

According to several Web sites the average height of a hollyhock can range from 4 to 8 feet.