General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 6a -23.3 °C (-10 °F) to -20.6 °C (-5 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 10b
Plant Height: 20 to 40 inches
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Evergreen
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Orange
Pink
Purple
Red
White
Other: Orange-red to apricot blooms
Flower Time: Late winter or early spring
Spring
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Cut Flower
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Propagation: Seeds: Other info: Short lived plant that usually reseeds.

Image
Common names
  • Desert Globemallow
  • Orange Mallow
  • Desert Mallow
  • Globe Mallow
  • Apricot Mallow
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Sphaeralcea ambigua
  • Synonym: Sphaeralcea ambigua subsp. ambigua

Photo Gallery
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ
Date: 2021-03-24
Red globemallow with an unusual flower shape
Location: Desert Botanical Garden   Phoenix, AZ
Date: 2024-04-08
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2018-08-12
Location: Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge, California
Date: 2012-04-16
Location: South Mountain, Phoenix 
Date: 2017-03-15
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ
Date: 2023-03-12
Pretty in pink!
Location: Hamilton Square Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2017-12-28
After a rough start in the garden it responded well to heavy prun
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2019-04-22
Location: Death Valley National Park, California
Date: Apri 7 2006
Taken during 2006 superbloom
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-07-21
Location: Dripping Springs, New Mexico
Date: Apr 16, 2012
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-07-21
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-07-21
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-07-21
Location: Dripping Springs, New Mexico
Date: Apr 16, 2012
Location: Desert Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) in Joshua Tree
Date: 2008-02-24
Photo courtesy of: Miguel Vieira
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2017-03-09
Location: Phoenix 
Date: 2017-03-14
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Date: 2009-04-12
Photo courtesy of: Alex E. Proimos
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Date: 2009-04-12
Photo courtesy of: Alex E. Proimos
Comments:
  • Posted by nmumpton (Sun Lakes, AZ - Zone 9b) on Jan 27, 2024 9:34 AM concerning plant:
    Other than the standard orange the flowers come in pink, red, white, and apricot.
Plant Events from our members
lovesblooms On February 4, 2017 Seeds sown
indoors
MrsBinWY On March 11, 2017 Seeds sown
soak overnight in hot water w/H2O2, 2-4 weeks in fridge then 65-75 degrees, 15-20 seeds from lovesblooms (she got from janinilulu); to milk jug 4-30-17 (forgot seeds in fridge)
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