I Grow This Pretty Flower For My Borders – But It's Also My Secret To Brighter Blond Hair

I've had bright blond hair for as long as I can remember. Well... technically since 2019, but after seven years it feels like part of my personality. The only downside? Keeping blond hair looking fresh is surprisingly hard work – so, yes, if my garden borders can help, of course I will accept the assistance!

Now, I love my blond hair as cool and ashy as possible; in fact, I absolutely hate it when my hair starts veering too warm or brassy. For years, my solution was simple: reach for the purple shampoo. It worked, but between juggling work, two children, my garden, and everything else life throws at me, regular trips to the salon for toner appointments slowly became less realistic.

If I'm honest, I've also found myself trying to cut back on some of the harsher products I use where I can. So I was genuinely surprised when the answer turned out to be a very pretty flower (and one that was already growing in my own garden borders).

This Pretty Flower Is My Secret To Brighter Blonde Hair

My mother-in-law gave me a copy of The Garden Apothecary by Christine Iverson, knowing I'd become slightly obsessed with finding new ways to use the plants I grow. It's full of ideas for turning flowers and herbs into skincare, haircare, household products, and even recipes.

As someone who spends a small fortune trying to stop that dreaded yellow creeping into my blond hair, one recipe immediately caught my eye. "Purple hollyhock flowers contain a natural dye that can cancel out these tones," promises Christine.

It's only a three-ingredient recipe, so an absolute doddle to make. And the apple cider vinegar it calls for? Well, as Christine puts it, it is an "antimicrobial to ease scalp conditions and also adds shine as well as helping to fade yellow tones".

No-brainer, right? Especially as you can buy good-quality apple cider vinegar by the half-gallon on Amazon.

If you're keen to try it for yourself, all you need is:

• 2 tablespoons fresh purple hollyhock flowers (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 250ml water

The method couldn't be easier, either; just add the flowers, vinegar and water to a saucepan and gently simmer for around 15 to 20 minutes. I always leave mine for the full 20 minutes until the liquid has reduced slightly and taken on a rich purple colour.

Then, once it's completely cool, you strain out the flowers and pour the liquid into a clean container.

Shop Hollyhock Hair Toner Essentials:

I apply it all over my hair from root to tip after wetting it, then leave it to work for around 15 minutes. (In reality, I almost always leave it on for more because I inevitably get distracted doing something else).

After that, I simply shampoo and condition as normal. I love that my hair feels super soft afterwards, which is just an added bonus; after all, the main benefit is that those brassy tones in my blond hair seem significantly toned down, and all without leaving my hair looking flat or dull – or feeling dry, which is always an issue I have with the official shampoos.

Of course, I'm not suggesting you'll never need purple shampoo again, or that this will replace a professional toner if you're after a dramatic color correction. But as someone who wants to stretch the time between salon appointments and make more use of what I'm already growing, it's become one of my favorite little garden discoveries.

Who knew one of the prettiest flowers in my borders could double as part of my blond hair routine? All hail the hollyhock, I say!