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Globe Mallow, Desert Mallow, Apricot Mallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua

Southwestern native. Mojave Desert native. Upright, loose, rounded to sprawling habit. Gray to gray-green, crinkled, deeply-lobed leaves with distinct veining and serrated margins. Small cup-shaped flowers. Flowers commonly orange, but may also be red, pink, lavender, or white. Attracts bees. Primary bloom is in spring, but blooms sporadically in summer and autumn. Drought deciduous. Can be cut back to 6 inches from the ground in autumn to stimulate new growth. Contact with the hairs on leaves and stems can be irritating or cause an allergic reaction in some people. Commonly available cultivars include 'Louis Hamilton'" with melon-red flowers and 'Papago Pink'" with large pink flowers.

  • Plant type: Perennial, Native
  • Maintenance level: Low
  • Water requirement: Low
  • Sun exposure: Full, Part Sun, Morning Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
  • Height range: 3 Feet
  • Width range: 3 Feet
  • Canopy value: 7 ft²
  • Growth rate: Fast, Medium
  • Seasonal habit: Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen
  • Flower color: Orange, Pink, White, Red, Purple
  • Flower season: Spring, Summer, Autumn
  • Fruit color: Brown
  • Fruit season: Summer, Autumn
  • General foliage color: Grey, Green
  • Hardiness cold tolerance: 0 °F
  • Soil preference: Well Drained, Dry
  • Native location: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Northern Mexico
  • PH preference: Alkaline/Basic, Neutral, Not Particular
  • Sunset zones: 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  • USDA hardiness zone: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

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