Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover)
Purple Prairie Clover, Violet Prairie Clover, Red Tassel Flower, Thimbleweed, Petalostemon purpureum
A long-lived prairie native, Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover) is an attractive perennial boasting plump, knobby rose-purple flower heads atop upright wiry stems. Blooming for 4-6 weeks in summer, they attract bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. Birds feast on the seeds once the floral display ends. The charming blossoms hover above the fine-textured foliage of compound, odd-pinnate leaves adorned with 3-5 narrow leaflets. Dalea purpurea originates from a sturdy taproot that supplies fertility to the soil through nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Purple Prairie Clover is an excellent range species that is valued for its high protein content. It is used for re-vegetation and prairie restoration and produces excellent forage for livestock and wildlife. Extremely resistant to heat and drought, Purple Prairie Clover is perfect for rock gardens, borders, native plant gardens, wild gardens, prairie or naturalized areas.
- Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). May self-seed where happy.
- Thrives in full sun in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- Propagate by seed. Purple prairie clover germinates at soil temperatures ranging from 59 to 86 °F (15-30 °C)
- Native from Saskatchewan to Texas.
Buy Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover)
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10, 11, 12 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, New York, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10, 11, 12 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, New York, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |