Globe Mallow - September Perennial of the Month

Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) brings a unique "cottage-garden" feel to the desert plant palette along with some surprises.  In spring a flush of beautiful flowers are produced that will cause people to stop in their tracks.  Thereafter, Globe Mallow will bloom off and on throughout the summer and fall.  This shrubby, perennial plant is native to the Southwestern areas of North America.   It is found growing along washes and rocky slopes.  They grow quickly and reach approximately 3 ft. x 3 ft.  Globe Mallow is cold hardy to about 20 degrees F.

 Although most Globe Mallow plants produce orange flowers, they are available in other colors such as pink, purple, white, red and shades in between.  At the nursery, you will usually see the orange flowered variety available.   However, nurseries are beginning to stock selections of Globe Mallow in different colors.  But buyer beware; unless specifically marked or blooming, you don't know exactly what color flower you will end up with.  Oftentimes, the surprise occurs after you plant them and wait to see what color the flowers will be.  For example, I bought four Globe Mallow, out of bloom, for my garden and ended up with 1 red, 2 pink and 1 white.  For those who do not like surprises in the garden, you can wait and buy them in bloom in the spring.

USES:  Globe Mallow attracts hummingbirds as well as butterflies. They serve as a colorful backdrop for small perennials or small cacti.  Consider planting with any of the following plants for a colorful desert flower garden - Penstemon, Desert Marigold, Ruellia and Blackfoot Daisy.  This beautiful but tough plant does best in full sun and performs well in areas with hot, reflected heat.  Do not plant in shady areas as this will cause them to grow leggy.

Globe Mallow do self-seed and the seedlings can be moved and transplanted in the fall, if desired.  The seedlings can produce different colored flowers then their parent plant.   This is also a great plant to use for re-vegetation purposes as it grows readily from seed.

MAINTENANCE:  This pretty perennial is very low-maintenance.  No fertilizer or amendments to the soil are required.  Prune once a year to approximately 6 inches to 1 ft. after it has finished blooming in late spring/early summer.  This will help to prevent them from self-seeding, maximize future blooming and minimize unproductive, woody growth.  This is not the type of plant to repeatedly shear into a formal shape.  When pruning, wear gloves and long sleeves since the tiny hairs on the leaves can be irritating to some as well as an eye irritant.

Once established, Globe Mallow are extremely drought-tolerant, but will require supplemental irrigation for the best appearance and flowering.  My Globe Mallow plants are connected to my drip-irrigation system and do very well.

ADDITIONAL FACTS:  Historically, Globe Mallow were used by the Indians for medicinal purposes such as treating diarrhea, sore throats, eye diseases as well as skin disorders.  Their roots were used for upset stomachs and poultices were made for treating swollen joints and broken bones.

There is a rose colored variety called "Louis Hamilton".