Do you want to plant iris in exact same area as hollyhock? This will disturb the hollyhock and they may not survive. Do you think the hollyhock aren't going to come up? Sometimes they are slow to germinate depending on warmth and water they receive. Iris tend to grow in a clump. Interplanting is probably not a good idea. My iris don't bloom if something taller (like hollyhock) blocks their sunlight. I put iris forward most in my border to prevent any other plant from blocking sunlight.
The hollyhock and iris will not bloom at the same time. You'll get blossoms first from the iris then later from the hollyhock.

I agree with aurore. THe hollyhock will get so large they will nearly smother the iris. Iris needs to be with a smaller plant. I'm never sure what to plant with hollyhock, it is so large, I use it as a background.

FWIW, my hollyhocks take a LONG time to germinate; one week is nothing! :0) They are, by the way, a great candidate for wintersowing (another forum on G. Web) At the least, I usually soak mine at least overnight. If you didn't do that, you may have a longer wait; I'd make sure they're moist, and keep 'em outside; the cooler/warmer cycle should also help.

Carolyn

Thanks everyone! I've made the iris their very own bed :-)

What if you have an existing bed of iris and want to put hollyhock behind them up against the house so you have iris color in spring/summer and hollyhock later?