Sphaeralcea ambigua

Desert Mallow

Plant family: Malvaceae - Mallow

Rating:

Plant type: Shrub

Plant origin: N/A, California

 
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One Gallon 0 12.99

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Flower Color Apricot, Orange
Blooming Season Fall, Spring, Summer
Height 2-3 feet
Spread 1-5 feet
Sun / Shade   
Monthly Water
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Wildlife Friendliness Rating
Plant Community > Learn More

Desert, Inland Sage Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland

Best Soil Conditions > Learn More

Clay, Sand, Adaptable, Alkaline

Special Characteristic

Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerates Hard Frost

Plant Highlights

There is nothing ambiguous about the color this sun-loving, low-water plant will bring to your garden. Desert Mallow produces spectacular orange to orange-red blooms on 1'-4' stems rising above fuzzy gray-green foliage. Use this plant to add color to a succulent garden or in a desert border where it contrasts nicely with Apache Plume and beargrass. With a little additional water in summer Desert Mallow will bloom almost year round. Expect height of about 3' with 2-3' spread. Cut back hard after flowering to encourage fresh growth and a fuller appearance.

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Comments

Amazing plant, it really blooms and bees love it. Easy to grow, does get leggy if you dont cut it back. But it has been blooming all year, and with the recent rains ( in February 2024) it is a rush of new flowers. Nice polinator plant.

Posed by: David Koons, on Feb 23 2024 9:31PM

Rating:
Post:#90
 
 
Growing well in inland East County San Diego on drip irrigation. Hot, dry, and windy here. One plant is 5' tall.

Posed by: Jonathan Fleming, on Jul 12 2019 2:43PM

Rating:
Post:#44
 
 
Can you tell me if this is the Luis Hamilton variant, from the color of the photos it would seem to be. Thanks

Posed by: David Peel, on Feb 22 2014 7:53AM

Rating:
Post:#15