Dalea is a widespread perennial throughout much of North America and is a highly attractive, long-flowering plant for bees during the summer months. As its common name suggests, it occurs naturally in prairies, including sand prairies, hill prairies, and gravel-hill prairies. It also grows wild in rocky open glades and woods. In most regions, it has a long bloom period from late May to September and makes an excellent, colorful addition to wildflower gardens.

 

Native Regions

Nationwide, in the United States except for parts of New England; distributed throughout southern regions of Canada.

 

Availability

Commercially available and can be grown in most parts of North America

 

Duration

Perennial

 

Bloom Time

Summer

 

Average Height

3 feet

 

Flower Color

White

Purple

 

Exposure

Full sun

 

Water Requirements

Average to dry
 

Recommended Species

Dalea purpurea (purple or violet prairie clover) is a widely distributed, native species, found throughout most parts of the U.S., except New England and northern Canada. It is well suited to gardens, sporting prolifically blooming, intense, purple-pink flower heads that are a favorite of bumble bees. It is also highly drought tolerant.

 

Dalea candida (white prairie clover), a native of the midwest, southwest, and southern Canada, is most abundant in the Great Plains and is an important legume in native grasslands. Somewhat smaller than purple prairie clover, it has dazzling white flowers that are in bloom from June to August. It prefers well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. It is very drought tolerant but can accept summer water.