Living in an arid climate doesn’t mean you can only grow cacti and succulents, especially if attracting birds is important to you. Consider adding heat-tolerant perennials and shrubs to your must-have list, such as desert mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), which is native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Native plants are perfect for enticing birds to your yard, so if your growing conditions are suitable, this small shrub should be at the top of your wildlife garden list.
Also known by other charming common names like desert globemallow, desert hollyhock, and apricot mallow, this heat-loving plant belongs to the mallow family, related to hibiscus and okra. After its bowl-shaped flowers produce seeds, birds such as sparrows, doves, and quails feast on them during spring or summer. With apricot, lavender, orange, or pink blooms and evergreen foliage reaching up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, butterflies are also attracted to this plant.
Growing desert mallow in the garden for birds
To cultivate desert mallow in an environment that supports sparrows and other wild birds, ensure it aligns with your growing conditions. This plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 8, in gardens with dry, alkaline, and well-drained soil. Select a spot with full sun and sow seeds in autumn or winter.
Once established, desert mallow is drought tolerant and can survive with just a single monthly watering. While you’re growing it for wildlife, you don’t have to let it become untidy — pruning the plants after blooming can help maintain a compact shape. To create a bird-friendly landscape with these flowers, plant several desert mallows in your garden and choose suitable companion plants, like agaves and yuccas. If you don’t live in an arid climate, there are alternatives that will also attract birds, such as American beautyberry and spicebush.
