Purple Prairie Clover

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea), also called violet prairie clover, is a native warm-season perennial legume with narrow divided leaves and upright stems. USDA NRCS describes pinkish-purple flower spikes that bloom from late May through September and notes that the plant fixes nitrogen in the soil ([USDA NRCS fact sheet](https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_dapu5.pdf)). ## Garden use and site Use this prairie species in native plantings, wildflower gardens, roadside plantings, or prairie restoration. It occurs in prairies, rocky open glades, and open woods, and the USDA fact sheet reports good growth in dry or well-drained soil. Its flowers and seed can contribute to wildlife habitat, while the legume’s nitrogen-fixing roots add value to a diverse planting. Kew accepts Dalea purpurea as the species name and places it in Fabaceae ([Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:490847-1)). ## Size and flowering Plants grow about 12–35 inches tall, with their narrow flower spikes held above the foliage. The narrow flower spikes bring pinkish-purple color from late spring into early fall, with the main display spanning summer. ## Maintenance Establish plants in a firm, weed-free seedbed and reduce weed competition while seedlings are small. Once established, avoid mowing or other disturbance that would damage the plants.