Description
Sphaeralcea – Iliamna – False Mallow – Globe Mallow –
There are about 60, hairy annuals, perennials, and deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs and shrubs, in this genus. They are found naturally occurring in well drained sites (mainly mountain slopes, in wasteland, or in scrub) in warmer regions of North America, with a few native to South America and South Africa. They produce upright or decumbent stems that carry spirally arranged, lance shaped to rounded, simple or lobed to palmate, toothed leaves. Over a long period from summer to autumn it bears saucer or cup shaped, mallow like flowers, with stamens joined into a column around the styles, are held singly or in racemes or panicles. False mallows and globe mallows, are suitable, for a gravel garden, raised bed, or stony bank if there is protection from excessive winter moisture.
Grow in moderately fertile, very well drained, gravelly soil in full sun, in colder areas, plant in a warm, dry sheltered position, and protect from winter moisture. Divide when growth begins in spring.
Prone to hollyhock rust.
S. munroana – This gray hairy, perennial from Western North America grows 32″ tall and 18″ wide. From upright, unbranched stems, it carries ovate to almost diamond shaped, shallowly 3 to 5 lobed or scalloped , mid green leaves, to 2 ½” long. From mid summer to early autumn it bears, saucer shaped, reddish orange flowers, 1″ across, in terminal panicles.
Zones 4-10
