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Sphaeralcea coccinea (Scarlet Globemallow)

Scarlet Globemallow, Caliche Globemallow, Copper Mallow, Prairie Mallow

Sphaeralcea coccinea, Scarlet Globemallow, Caliche Globemallow, Copper Mallow, Prairie Mallow, Orange Flowers
Sphaeralcea coccinea, Scarlet Globemallow, Caliche Globemallow, Copper Mallow, Prairie Mallow, Orange Flowers
Sphaeralcea coccinea, Scarlet Globemallow, Caliche Globemallow, Copper Mallow, Prairie Mallow, Orange Flowers

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, making them appear pale 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.
  • Discover 50 Colorado wildflowers for every season

Requirements

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

Bouteloua gracilis (Blue Grama)
Juniperus horizontalis (Creeping Juniper)
Ericameria nauseosa (Rubber Rabbitbrush)
Rhus trilobata (Skunkbush Sumac)
Yucca elata (Soaptree Yucca)
Bouteloua curtipendula (Side-Oats Grama)
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.
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Requirements

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

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