Apricot Globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
Also known as Desert Globemallow, Desert Mallow, Apricot Mallow
Climate Match for your location
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A low-maintenance desert shrub with apricot-orange flowers that bloom over a long season. Highly drought-tolerant and well-suited to arid and semi-arid landscapes.
Why grow it
Apricot globemallow offers a longer bloom window than many comparable desert shrubs, often flowering from spring through fall in suitable climates. Among low-growing Sphaeralcea species, this cultivar tends to be more compact and manageable in scale, making it useful for smaller xeriscape designs or front-of-border positions. Its tolerance for poor, sandy soils and minimal supplemental water makes it a practical choice for water-limited regions where traditional flowering shrubs would require more management.
Watch out for
This species can spread vigorously by seed in favorable conditions, particularly in disturbed areas or with consistent moisture, so deadheading or monitoring may be necessary depending on your landscape goals. Plants may decline or fail to thrive in heavy clay soils or areas with poor drainage, even though they tolerate drought, as they are adapted to well-draining desert conditions. In cooler or more humid climates, foliage and flower production may be less robust than in its native arid range.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, California)
Native to: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-maintenance desert shrub with apricot-orange flowers that bloom over a long season. Highly drought-tolerant and well-suited to arid and semi-arid landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Apricot Globemallow grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Apricot globemallow offers a longer bloom window than many comparable desert shrubs, often flowering from spring through fall in suitable climates. Among low-growing Sphaeralcea species, this cultivar tends to be more compact and manageable in scale, making it useful for smaller xeriscape designs or front-of-border positions. Its tolerance for poor, sandy soils and minimal supplemental water makes it a practical choice for water-limited regions where traditional flowering shrubs would require more management.
Watch out for
This species can spread vigorously by seed in favorable conditions, particularly in disturbed areas or with consistent moisture, so deadheading or monitoring may be necessary depending on your landscape goals. Plants may decline or fail to thrive in heavy clay soils or areas with poor drainage, even though they tolerate drought, as they are adapted to well-draining desert conditions. In cooler or more humid climates, foliage and flower production may be less robust than in its native arid range.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, California)
Native to: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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