Dalea purpure Purple Prairie Clover

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Dalea purpure visit the USDSA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.

Purple Prairie Clover look like purple popsicles growing from the garden.
Dalea purpure simple elegance
Purple Prairie Clover seed head that is green and not ready to collect is being held in an old wrinkly hand.
Wait, wait, wait before collecting clover seed it needs to mature first. Watch for the flower head to turn dark then check and see if seed loosens up. Prop a paper bag under the flower head to collect any seed that tumble out.


Cultivation Information Purple Prairie Clover

Height - 12 to 24 inchesFlower Color - PurpleBlooms - July - SeptemberSun - Full to part shadeSoil - Normal to dry
Hardy Zone - 3 to 8
Family - Fabaceae (Bean Family)
Pollinator Gardens - A perfect addition to your pollinator garden, this native Ohio clover deserves a front row seat in your wildflower garden.
Over the Years
Small and unassuming perhaps, Oh, but sit quietly, watch and wait one will quickly realize that Purple Prairie Clover attracts a hub of pollinator activity. I have several plants growing in a well-drained, full sun garden that I have left to themselves in hopes they will reseed. This has never materialized, original plants continue to thrive however, young seedlings are lacking. Assuming the clover has been pollinated leaves one to believe that birds and critters who visit our yard are snatching the seed before ittumbles to the ground
Purple Prairie Clover looks like a fun, purple, summer, sun hat.
Purple Prairie Clover reminds me of a fun summer hat with a bright purple rim

Wildlife Significance Purple Prairie Clover

Nectar & Pollen - Attracts numerous native bees, honey bees, Syrphid flies, beetles, skippers, small butterflies
Oligoleges (specialist pollinators) - Several kinds of plaster bees
Protein - Prairie Clover is high in protein and enjoyed by a large number of mammals
Seed - Small Rodents enjoy Prairie Clover seed
For detailed information visit the Illinois Wildflower site
Small wild brown rabbit eating clover in the grass. Photo by Jim Wohl
Rabbits love Jim Wohl's yard as there is plenty of clover!
Propagation Notes Dalea purpure
Stratifying Seeds
Seeds placed in Cold Moist Storage Supplies Needed For Seed Stratification - 1. Zip lock plastic bag2. Few table spoons of Vermiculite3. Dampened vermiculite - not soggy4. Store in refrigerator for
One single Purple Prairie Clover, gray at the top bright purple around the edges. Photo by Jim Wohl
Jim Wohl's Purple Praire Clover
Seed Provenance Dalea purpure
Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN - 2014 Nodding Onion Gardens 2015 to Present