(Dalea purpurea ‘Purple Prairie’)
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Purple Prairie Clover is a native perennial flower that grows in prairies throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 1-3' and features tiny purple flowers that grow densely on a cone-like head. This plant fixes nitrogen, attracts bees and butterflies, provides forage to birds and livestock, is edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and is used as a cut flower!
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Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Dalea
Species: purpurea
Variety: Purple Prairie Clover
Also known as: Violet Prairie Clover
Native Range: Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Saskatchewan, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Introduced to: New York
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Bloom): Summer-Early Fall
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually occurs within 10-12 days. Water seedlings occasionally until they become established
Soil Moisture: Medium to Dry
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes. Attracts bees and produces protein-rich seed that is a source of food for many birds as well as deer, antelope, livestock, and small animals of all kinds.
Height: 12-36"
Spacing: 15-18"
Sow Depth: 1/4"
USDA Grow Zone: 3a-9b
Produces: tiny purple flowers that grow densely on a cone-like head
Genus: Dalea
Species: purpurea
Variety: Purple Prairie Clover
Also known as: Violet Prairie Clover
Native Range: Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Saskatchewan, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Introduced to: New York
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Bloom): Summer-Early Fall
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually occurs within 10-12 days. Water seedlings occasionally until they become established
Soil Moisture: Medium to Dry
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes. Attracts bees and produces protein-rich seed that is a source of food for many birds as well as deer, antelope, livestock, and small animals of all kinds.
Height: 12-36"
Spacing: 15-18"
Sow Depth: 1/4"
USDA Grow Zone: 3a-9b
Produces: tiny purple flowers that grow densely on a cone-like head
Starting Purple Prairie Clover Seeds Outdoors for Spring
It is best to start your Purple Prairie Clover seeds outdoors in early spring. Purple Prairie Clover has a thick, fleshy taproot which permits it to withstand drought but also makes transplanting difficult. Direct sow your seeds ¼” deep in firmly compacted soil 15-18" apart after the last frost date of your area. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually occurs within 10-12 days. This plant adapts well to sand, clay, and gravel.
Water seedlings occasionally until they become established; the plant develops rather slowly because of the long tap root, which takes much of the plant’s energy in its first year. Mature plants can tolerate drought because of their long taproot, but appreciate watering in dry periods. For the healthiest growth, control surrounding weeds. This plant does not spread aggressively, and attracts bees.
This unusual flower makes a striking addition to flower arrangements. Cut the stems long and place them in water immediately, stripping the leaves that will fall below the water level.
After the green spike finishes blooming, it will turn brown and dry. Since birds and rodents love eating this seed, it should be harvested promptly to avoid loss. Strip the heads from their stalks, holding a container underneath to catch the falling seed. The hulls do not need to be removed, but will slow germination; uncleaned seed will need to be scarified. Store the seed in a cool, dry place.
Dalea purpurea mingles well with prairie residents like Allium cernuum, Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea purpurea and Liatris aspera. This species also combines beautifully with prairie grasses like Andropogon gerardii. Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans and Sporobolus heterolepis.