Purple prairie clover (also known as violet prairie clover) is a showy, adaptable perennial indigenous to a wide variety of prairie ecosystems across all of central North America, from Saskatchewan down through Texas. It is not a genuine clover but instead a deep-rooted legume that fixes nitrogen from the soil, so planting this recurrent is a gorgeous way to add fertility to a naturalized garden place.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Botanical name: Dalea purpurea
Common name: Purple prairie clover
USDA zones: 3 to 9 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 18 to 30 inches tall and wide
Advantages and tolerances: Long blooming; attracts butterflies and bees; tolerates full sun, drought and heavy clay soils
When to plant: Spring through autumn
Seasonal interest: Blooms in late spring through summer
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Distinguishing traits. Masses of showy, vibrant, violet-pink flower spikes offer you a bold contrast to the delicate, lacy foliage. Many xeric plants comprise gray-green or silver foliage; purple prairie clover’s is a refreshing deep azure. The plant type is an upright, rounded silhouette.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
How to utilize it. Purple prairie clover is the best addition to any wildflower or meadow planting. Use it in drifts with blossoms and wildflowers — companion plants with coloured foliage or yellow flowers make for a wonderful contrast. Look at using fringed sage (Artemisia frigida), blue gramma grass (Buchloe dactyloides), Western blue spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) and Colorado four o’clock (Mirabilis multiflora).
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Planting notes. Plant purple prairie clover in sunlight. Be considerate when choosing the place, since its heavy taproot makes it tricky to move. The plant adapts to most soils. Although it’s fairly drought tolerant once established, it is going to take advantage of supplemental water during prolonged dry periods.