Purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea
Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Fabaceae family, native to Prairies of central North America, from Alberta to Texas. It grows 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -38 °C (-36 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan Purple prairie clover in your garden →
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Purple prairie clover at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 30–90 cm (12–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -38 °C (-36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Prairies of central North America, from Alberta to Texas |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Purple prairie clover toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; good forage for livestock.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Purple prairie clover
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Purple prairie clover
- How far apart should I plant Purple prairie clover?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Purple prairie clover need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Purple prairie clover need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Purple prairie clover?
- It tolerates about -38 °C (-36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Purple prairie clover flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Purple prairie clover poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; good forage for livestock.
- What grows well with Purple prairie clover?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Illinois Wildflowers (descriptions and insect-visitor records), John Hilty, illinoiswildflowers.info
Notes and assumptions
- A tallgrass prairie plant: deep roots make it drought-proof once established; it wants sun and lean soil (rich soil makes it flop). Leave the stems standing in winter for seed-eating birds and overwintering insects.
- Wiry stems with fine leaves topped by thimble-shaped heads that flower in a ring of tiny magenta blossoms from the bottom up, like a little skirt. A nitrogen-fixing legume that bees adore.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis