Dalea purpurea

Purple Prairie Clover

Easy to grow and adaptable, Purple Prairie Clover has hundreds of red violet flowers from midsummer to fall.

This prairie wildflower is irresistible to garden visitors and its long bloom time makes it a great plant for gardens and meadows alike. Intensely red-violet flowers punctuate the stiff, upright stems, adding a nice structural element and its color combines well with yellows, blues and pinks. Daleas are deep-rooted legumes and Purple Prairie Clover in particular adds valuable nitrogen to the soil and helps keep it fertile for neighboring plants. It adapts well to many different soil types and even tolerates clay. Dalea purpurea is a wonderful native alternative to Bachelor's Buttons in a wildflower planting.

Benefits

	Drought Tolerant
	Easy to Grow
	Naturalizes Well
	Combines well with grasses and other perennials
	Provides nitrogen for other plants

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Purple Prairie Clover is easily grown in a sunny location and average to dry soils.

Height 1-2 Feet

Spread 1-2 Feet

Native Range Dalea purpurea occurs in glades, rocky open woods and prairies from New York to Alberta, south to Arizona and Georgia. For full range by state see the USDA Distribution Map

Native Trivia Purple prairie clover is frequently used in seed mixes for erosion control due to its ability to establish on disturbed sites and its capability to condition soil with nitrogen. New growth of this native legume is high in protein and is nutritious for grazing wildlife, however it does not seem to be attractive to deer.

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9

"Purple Prairie Clover is a host plant for Dogface Butterfly larvae and provides nectar to many species of butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Medium Perennials	Exposure • Sun	Soil • Well-drained • Humus-rich	Soil Moisture Preference • Average • Dry
Attracts Wildlife • Butterflies	Bloom Time • Summer	Habitat Collection • Butterfly	Native Habitat • Grassland
Foliage Color • Green	Uses • Naturalizes • Drought tolerant • Border • Meadow • Mass plant • Cut or dried flower