Spaeralcea ambigua

Desert Globemallow, Apricot Globemallow

OVERVIEW:

This elegant herbaceous perennial (and it some parts of the United States, moreso a perennial shrub) is native to areas moving across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, with a presence also in Sonora, Mexico and Hermosillo. It, like many perennials, is committed to growing alongside companion plants, with the Sonoran desert’s infamous larrea tridentata (creosote) being a favorite. It has small, fuzzy lobed leaves that multiply as it matures, a delightful texture treasure. It fruits, leaving a small brown star-shaped pod full of seeds that either disperse through the wind or animal consumption.

CLASSIFICATION:

Botanical Name: Spaeralcea ambigua

Common Name: Desert globemallow, Apricot globemallow

Family: Malvaceae

Suggested Uses: great for beds and borders, rock gardens, full-sun areas

CHARACTERISTICS:

Height: 2-3ft

Width: 2-4ft

Flower: cup-shaped, 5-petal blossom that flattens once visited by a pollinator

Bloom: spring - summer

ENVIRONMENT:

USDA Zone: 8-11

Sun: Partial to full sun

Soil: sand or clay, alkaline soils

Water: Low usage