Globemallow is one of those native plants I have had a long fascination with.  Back when I was 10 years old I had started my first rock / cactus garden.   After going away for a couple weeks I came back and found that this plant had somehow managed to find its way in my collection of local desert cactus.   Also not much longer after a red ant colony moved in, which if you know me I find ants interesting as well.  With these two local native species my rock garden was a success. While there is  still a red ant colony today, there is no globemallow.  Up till this year I would not longer have any success with this plant.  I had tried collecting seeds, digging plants up in lots that were about to tear the plant up anyway.  But to no avail, and it was not a plant that I could find in my local nursery, well at least until this year.

During the summer here you can find the plant along the rode side during the spring.

Globemallow is every where

In some bizarre way even though the plant was not available in my area,  its now available in stores and online.    It did not just come out in stores  it has come out with different breeds of yellow and red not just the common orange.  Honestly I am not surprised that Sumer Winds Nursery in Glendale carries it, but Lowes is another story.  I also in an Email from Botanical Interests found out they were carrying this species along with other plants that are part of their Botanic Garden Series, where they work to save species that are rare or endangered.

How to care for Globemallow

Its been two months since I got my plant, from Summer Winds in Glendale Arizona.  As you can see I opted for the orange that you can find in the Arizona area.    Like the Desert Marigold and the Angelina Daisy I have used commercial organic potting soil with a mix of play ground sand with E.B. Stone’s Starter fertilizer.  In addition I have removed the saucers off the pots to allow a complete drainage after being watered.  I have placed the pot in the full sun.  Regular watering seems to be tolerated, and looks fairly good. As of this time the wild members of the species seemed to have died out at this time, and gone to seed waiting to restart the cycle.  I will get to see how long I can keep the flowers going.

Next year I will try Botanical Interests Scarlet seeds.

Where to buy Globemallow

At this time in the Phoenix Arizona area the plant is available at Lowes and Sumer Winds Nursery.

Also  Botanical Interests offers Globemallow seeds