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Purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea
Despite its dainty appearance, purple prairie clover is, as a legume, a nitrogen-fixer and a pollinator powerhouse. Its thimble-shaped purple flowers bloom from June to August, blooming from bottom to top. Purple prairie clover grows 60 cm tall in clumps with a deep taproot for drought tolerance.
Ecology:
Purple prairie clover is a favourite of many pollinators, including long- and short-tongued bees, syrphid flies and soldier beetles, which are both excellent for natural pest control. It is a host plant for the Southern Dogface butterfly. It's pollen, supports pollen specialist bees, and has a bright orange colour due to an oily coating. Unfortunately, the leaves are a favourite for rabbits and need to be protected until established.Birds and small mammals consume its seeds.
Growing conditions:
Purple prairie clover is a native perennial legume; it fixes nitrogen in the soil to fertilize itself and surrounding plants.
Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea
60 cm great pollinator nitrogen fixing sun to part sun host plant drought tolerant any bird seed short medium to dry pollen specialist bees showy foilage .
Garden symphony:
Wild petunia, butterfly milkweed, little bluestem, spotted beebalm, anise hyssop, harebell