Apricot globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
Last reviewed: July 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
24"–36" H × 24"–36" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ, CA, NV, UT and 1 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A rounded, woody-based perennial subshrub with gray-green, velvety, three-lobed leaves and abundant cup-shaped apricot-orange flowers held on tall spikes in spring. Semi-evergreen and drought deciduous, dropping leaves in extended dry heat. Thrives in poor, rocky, fast-draining soil.
In an HOA neighborhood
Apricot globemallow is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Common checkered skipper.
Spring flowers are a major nectar source for bees and butterflies, and the foliage serves as a larval host for several checkered-skipper butterflies.
Common questions
- How much sun does Apricot globemallow need?
- Apricot globemallow grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Apricot globemallow bloom?
- Apricot globemallow blooms in February, March, April, and May.
- Where is Apricot globemallow native?
- Apricot globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT and 1 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Apricot globemallow host?
- Apricot globemallow is a larval host plant for Common checkered skipper.
- Is Apricot globemallow HOA-friendly?
- Apricot globemallow is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Apricot globemallow fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.