Black Dalea

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Dalea frutescens A delightful low-mounding shrub with feathery foliage, black dalea thrives in the dry limestone areas stretching from the Trans-Pecos to Austin and up to Oklahoma. From late summer into fall, its charming flowers gracefully conceal the foliage, resembling the lovely purple pea-like blooms of feather Dalea, though without the elegant plumes. Like its cousins—silver and Gregg Dalea (D. Formosa, D. bicolor var. argyria, and D. greggii)—black dalea loves basking in full sun while flourishing in poor, well-drained soils; it's quite picky about fertilizers and overwatering. Once it gets settled in, the only care it needs is a good trim of the foliage during winter or early spring to keep its lovely dense shape. This wonderful plant makes an excellent low-maintenance ground cover, perfect for preventing erosion on rocky slopes or in warm, sun-bleached areas. Plus, it can brave the cold down to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also a host plant to the Reakirt's Blue butterfly. BONAP MAP Height: 3'Spread: 5'Bloom: Summer-Fall Light: Full SunWater: LowZone: 8-9 Origin: Texas, Southwest Show more