Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)
[DAY-lee-ah per-per-EE-ah]

Deciduous Perennial Upright in the Fabaceae Family
A tough, drought-tolerant tallgrass prairie native with dense rose-purple flower spikes and nitrogen-fixing roots.

Dalea purpurea is a North American tallgrass prairie native in the pea family, bearing dense, thimble-shaped spikes of small rose-purple flowers that bloom in a ring from the bottom upward over several weeks in summer. Like its white-flowered relative Dalea candida, it sends down a long taproot that makes it highly drought-tolerant once established and fixes its own nitrogen in the soil. Its narrow, feathery compound leaves and upright habit are a familiar sight in sunny prairie and wildflower plantings, where the blooms are a favorite of butterflies and native bees.

Pros

  • Deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant once established
  • Fixes nitrogen in the soil like other legumes
  • A favorite of butterflies and native bees
  • Tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy soils

Cons

  • Slow to establish, especially from seed
  • Palatable to deer, rabbits, and livestock, which can hinder young plants
  • Bloom window lasts only about a month to six weeks
Why Like

In the wild, Dalea purpurea is one of the signature wildflowers of the tallgrass prairie, growing across dry rocky prairies, hillsides, and open woodlands throughout the central United States. Its nectar-rich spikes draw bumblebees, specialized native bees, and butterflies, and the plant serves as a larval host for the Dogface Sulphur and Reakirt’s Blue butterflies. Native American communities historically chewed the sweet-tasting roots, brewed the leaves into a tea, and used the tough, fibrous stems to make brooms.
Highlights
  • Native Prairie Wildflower
  • Nitrogen-Fixing Legume
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Pollinator Favorite
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Slow To Establish
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium:

Prefers moist to dry conditions in well-drained soil. A deep taproot gives it strong drought tolerance once established.
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Deciduous, Dry, Full Sun, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Perennial
Bloom Period June To August
Flower Color Rose/Purple
 

More Info from Experts
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!