Dalea purpurea
Back to Previous Page
     
Tried and True Recommended by 4 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: purple prairie clover
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Fabaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: Eastern and central United States
Garden Location: Christopher Biraben Butterfly Meadow, Suzanne Stagg Wright Rock Garden
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Description: Rose/Purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Drought
Uses: Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Thick and deep taproot enables this plant to tolerate drought well. May self-seed in optimum growing conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Purple prairie clover is a native Missouri prairie clover which occurs in glades, rocky open woods and prairies throughout the State except for the far southeastern counties. Typically grows 1-3' tall. Features tiny purple flowers in dense, cone-like heads (to 2" long) atop erect, wiry stems in summer. Compound, odd-pinnate leaves, with 3-5 narrow linear leaflets. A nitrogen-fixing plant that is an important component of Midwestern prairie restorations. Formerly known as Petalostemon purpureum.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Rock gardens, borders, native plant gardens, wild gardens, prairie or naturalized areas.

Similar Plants


Dalea candida
Back to Previous Page