Hollyhock

I've grown a hollyhock every year since I moved and it only flowered once before dying or getting rust. This year I bought these two for £1 each from morrissons and they have grown beautifully and gorgeous coloured flowers have bloomed. 
Next year I will grow agapanthus in a pot thanks for the advice Mambo and mrs HCB.
It has rained nearly all day and been muggy. The outside of the house and car are covered in tiny flies, I think they are thrips. They are attracted to white and are also all over my white cosmos. They started yesterday, had to spray in the conservatory before sitting in there, I keep hoovering up the dead bodies!