Gooseberry Globemallow in the Landscape

Diane Jones, Draggin' Wing Farm, Water-thrifty Plants for Idaho

Scientfic Name:  Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia
Common Name:  Gooseberry Globemallow

Description:  Red-orange flowers bloom in spring & summer. Brilliant orange flowers adorn this plant in the early summer. Grows naturally in hot and dry locations. Avoid over-watering.

Native Habitat:  Valleys to foothills in dry open sites throughout the western Intermountain region, 4,000-7,000'.

Cultural Requirement

Soil:  For best flowering grow in lean, dry soils. Tolerant of alkaline soils.

Moisture Tolerance:  Very xeric.

Sun/Shade/Preference:  Full sun.

Transplanting:  Easy.

Propagation:  Seed.

Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc):  Remove spent flowering stalks after to bloom to encourage re-bloom.

Insect, disease, or other problems:  None of concern.

Landscape Value

Use in the Landscape:  Valuable for profuse display of bloom in early summer, especially in very arid locations.

Foliage:  Deeply cut gray-green leaves.

Flower:  Orange flowers resemble miniature hollyhocks arrayed along tall stems.

Color:  Orange.

Form:  Loose mound of flowering stalks over woody base.

Texture:  Open, loose.

Ultimate Size:  3' x 3'

Rate of Growth:  Moderate to rapid.

Suggested Plant Partners:  Winterfat, Sagebrush, Rabbitbrush, Woolly Sunflower Availability - Available at specialty nurseries.

Availability:  Available at specialty nurseries.

Cultivars:  None.

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