Sphaeralcea ambigua

Sunset

Sphaeralcea ambigua, photo courtesy of Steven A. Gunther

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Zones 3A, 3B, 7-24

Full

Minimal

Apricot Mallow
Malvaceae
Perennials, Flowers

SPHAERALCEA

Grown for their attractive downyleaves and bright flowers shapedlike miniature hollyhocks (Alcearosea), these upright to trailingplants have a persistent woodybase with softer stems above.Colorful accent plants for hot,dry locations.

Need well-drained soil. Any morethan a little water causes weedygrowth and rust. Cut old stemsalmost to ground before springgrowth begins.

Sphaeralcea ambigua

Native toUtah, Arizona, Nevada, California,and Mexico. Grows to 3–4 ft.tall, 2–3 ft. wide, with manystems covered in white or yellowishdown. Broad, roundedgray-green leaves are crinkledand slightly lobed. Each stembears many inch-wide flowers;usual color is glowing pink ororange, but white-flowered formsare occasionally available.