Description

California hosts only a handful of species from the globemallow genus, Sphaeralcea. All are found growing in the heat of the deserts of the southeastern corner of the state except for the gooseberryleaf globemallow. This low-growing species is common in the Great Basin, but grows rarely in many of California’s eastern counties. I have grown it for years in Santa Clara County, and have been happily surprised to see it thrive. The plant is rather decumbent, with round, lobed leaves of a gray-green color. The leaves are somewhat similar to those of some gooseberries, but are more deeply veined of a rougher texture. The spring bloom begins with a draping spike of bright orange spheres (“globes”) with open to cup-shaped flowers. My specimen has thrived without summer water in full sun and soil with average drainage.