Shrubby and woolly, this perennial grows 1-3 ft., with numerous large, apricot-orange to pink flowers in wand-like clusters near the tips of weak, wide-ranging, usually erect stems. The broad leaves have three lobes and rounded, scalloped edges. A grayish plant often with many stems. One of the largest-flowered, most drought-tolerant species of Globe-mallow. In wet years it forms spectacular displays in the low, hot southwestern deserts. In some forms petals are pale purplish-pink.

• Exposure: full sun
• Water: natural rainfall; supplemental water will increase flowering
• Soil: desert soil, tolerant of some clay, prefers good drainage
• Propagation: easy by seed; tricky by vegetative cuttings; best results from first flush of new spring growth
• Maintenance: low, periodically cut back to keep vegetative look

It is winter hardy in USDA Zones 6–10, withstanding temperatures as low as -10F.

You must soften the hard coating on the seeds by rubbing them lightly with sandpaper or soaking them in 180˚F water overnight. Then, mix the seeds with moist sand, place them in a plastic baggie, and store them in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting.

Seeds can be planted in the early spring, but before you grow them, make sure you have selected an area that receives lots of sunshine. Remember, these are very low-maintenance plants that thrive in the desert area of the Southwest.