Sphaeralcea (Globemallow) grows in desert, semi-desert, prairies, grasslands, scrub, pinyon-juniper and sagebrush plant communities and also often on dry roadsides, disturbed areas and dry slopes. It is adapted to a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay loams.

 

Native Regions

The western half of the United States and Canada, west of the Mississippi and the Great Lakes

 

Availability

Although native to the western regions of North America, Sphaeralcea species are often commercially available and can otherwise be obtained widely through native plant nurseries, botanical gardens and seed networks. They are very drought-tolerant, suitable for xeriscaping and generally adaptable to garden settings in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8.

 

Duration

Perennial

 

Bloom Time

Late spring through summer

 

Average Height

4 feet

 

Flower Color

Salmon

Orange 

Red 

Pink

Lavendar

 

Exposure

Full sun

 

Water Requirements

Average to dry

 

Recommended Species

Sphaeralcea coccinea (scarlet globemallow) is most commonly found in the low rainfall areas of the Intermountain West, Great Basin, Rocky Mountains and Great Plains regions of the United States and Canada. It is a low-spreading, warm season, long-lived perennial, which grows to about 1 foot. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 8 and is commercially available.

 

Sphaeralcea angustifolia (copper globemallow) is a native perennial species occurring primarily in the southwest region of the United States. The blossoms, which range from salmon to pink to lavender, can bloom from June through November. This 4 foot plant is easily grown in garden settings, tolerates dry conditions and attracts butterflies as well as native bees.

 

Sphaeralcea ambigua (desert mallow) as its name suggests is native to the desert regions of California, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. Although this is a very drought-tolerant native species, it is adaptable to garden settings, and can be used either for xeriscaping or integrated with other wildflowers in a pollinator garden. With some moisture, it can bloom almost continuously from June through November, providing a steady source of pollen and nectar for many native bees.

 

Sphaeralcea grossularifolia (gooseberryleaf globemallow) occurs in cool and warm desert shrub communities in western North America from Idaho, south to New Mexico and west to arid regions of Washington, Oregon, and California. It is commercially available and adaptable to garden settings. This plant grows to 2 feet and produces reddish-orange blossoms from May through July, attracting numerous spring and summer native bees.