Desert Mallow
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Sphaeralcea ambigua
Shrubby and woolly, this perennial grows 3-5 ft. It has numerous large, apricot-orange flowers in wand-like clusters near the tips of weak, wide-ranging, sometimes sprawling stems. The broad leaves have three lobes and rounded, scalloped edges. This grayish plant often has many limbs and bright orange-red flowers in clusters with erect branches.
One of the largest-flowered, most drought-tolerant species of Globe-mallow, it forms spectacular displays in the low, hot southwestern deserts in wet years. In some forms, its petals are pale, purplish-pink.
Butterfly Host Plant: Texas Powdered-Skipper (Systasea pulverulenta); Common Streaky Skipper (Celotes nessus)
Height: 3’-5’
Spread: 2’-4’
Bloom: February-November
Light: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Southwestern U.S.
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
