Alphabetical Plant Listing

Sphaeralcea coccinea (Scarlet Globemallow)

Scarlet Globemallow, Caliche Globemallow, Copper Mallow, Prairie Mallow


Sphaeralcea coccinea (Scarlet Globemallow) is a low-spreading, long-lived perennial boasting a profusion of deep orange to brick-red flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), from mid-spring to fall. Clustered in dense, short racemes, the flowers provide a rich source of pollen and nectar to bees and butterflies. They are borne atop slender stems clad with alternate, palmately lobed leaves. Both stems and leaves are usually covered in dense stellate hairs, which make them appear pale green to silvery green. Scarlet Globemallow has a deep taproot that may remain unbranched for 3 ft. (90 cm) before it divides into lateral roots. Scarlet Globemallow spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding and may form clumps or extensive colonies. One plant may produce up to 1,860 seeds. Many birds and small mammals will feast on them. Drought and disturbance tolerant, Scarlet Globemallow is perfect for xeriscaping and low water-use gardening. It is also valuable for erosion control and restoration of disturbed arid and semi-arid sites.

  • Grows up to 4-16 in. tall (10-40 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun in drywell-drained soils.  Tolerates a wide range of soil types from sandy to clay loams to gravelly to alkaline and moderately saline soils. Thrives in very dry, poor limestone soils. It is extremely drought tolerant and does not tolerate shady conditions. During very dry conditions, it sheds its leaves and enters vegetative dormancy.
  • It is a great candidate for beds and borders, rock gardens, Mediterranean gardens, desert or semi-desert gardens, or dry slopes.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for grasshoppers.
  • Sphaeralcea plants are important forage sources for several rodents, rabbits, deer, and antelope. Browsing deer will often consume all the foliage and leave only the woody base
  • Cut back after flowering to rejuvenate the plant.
  • Propagate by seeds and rhizomes. Sow treated seed or take rhizome cuttings in spring.
  • Native to the central and western United States, western Canada, and northern Mexico.

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Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 4" – 2' (10cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow

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123rf, Andrey Zharkikh, USDA NRCS Montana,(Flickr)

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 4" – 2' (10cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow

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