Rolland Asley

Dalea

Dalea

Dalea bicolor
A medium size deciduous shrub reaching a maximum size of 8 x 6 feet.
The foliage is silvery and the deep blue flowers are borne during autumn.
It is hardy to 10 F but will also survive in zone 7 as a perennial ( regrowth is rapid from hard winter pruning or freeze-back ). It is extremely tolerant of heat and drought.

Delea candida
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 2 feet.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Dalea capitata
A fast growing groundcover shrub reaching up to 2 x 6 feet, that is evergreen in mild climates. The foliage is bright green and the flowers are yellow.
It is a perennial in zones where severe frost occur, hardy as far north as zone 7.

Dalea frutescens ( Black Dalea )
A fast growing, mounding, small evergreen ( deciduous in cooler climates ) shrub reaching up to 4 x 6 feet. Some records include: 2 years - 3 x 4 feet.
The foliage is lacy and silvery.
The intense purple flowers are borne spring until fall ( mostly late summer into fall in cooler climates ).
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( tolerating as low as 0 F ) and may even grow as a perennial north into zone 5. It requires full sun on well drained soil and is very drought tolerant. Fertilizer is not recommended. Older overgrown plants can be cut back hard during early spring to rejuvenate.

Dalea greggii ( Trailing Indigo Bush )
A low, spreading, groundcover shrub, reaching up to 1.5 x 8 ( rarely over 1 x 5 ) feet. The stems root anywhere they touch the ground making this a great plant for erosion control and stabilizing banks
The pinnate compound leaves are composed of tiny, silvery leaflets.
The rosy-purple flowers are borne late spring into summer, though often repeating sporadically after.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 on just about any well drained soil, it prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. It is tolerant of extreme heat including reflected heat of parking lot islands.

Dalea lutea
An evergreen shrub reaching a maximum size of 6 x 6 feet.
The foliage is deep green and the yellow flowers are borne during late autumn.
Hardy north to zone 9. Cut back by 2/3 in March.

Dalea pulchra
Some records include: 3 years - 5 feet

Dalea purpurea ( Purple Prairie Clover )
Also called Petalostemon purpureum. A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 3 feet, that is native to central North America ( Saskatchewan to Indiana; south to New Mexico to Texas ).
The fine textured foliage is rich mid-green.
The profuse, rose-purple flowers are borne over a long period during the summer.
The flowers attract butterflies.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun. Very drought tolerant and deep rooted ( up to 16 feet deep! ). Resistant to rabbits but not deer.

Dalea spinosus
Also called Psorothamnus spinosus. It is a small deciduous tree reaching up to 25 feet, that is native to river valleys in southern California, southern Nevada, western and southern Arizona. Some records include: 2 years - 10 feet; 3 years - 15 feet; 4 years - 17 feet; 7 years - 19 feet; 11 years - 20 feet.
Thrives in both Tucson & Yuma. No freeze damage at 15 F at Tucson.
The masses of gray, spiny stems sparsely bear simple leaves, up to an inch in length.
The flowers are purplish-gray.
Hardy zones 9 to 11

Dalea versicolor Mountain Delight
Reaches up to 4 x 4 feet.
Hardy zones 8a to 9, tolerates as high as 110 F.