Botanical Name: Petalostemon purpureum
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Common Name: Purple Prairie Clover  
Plant photo of: Petalostemon purpureum
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Purple

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Very Low, Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Patio, Raised Planter, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds, Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Mountain States Nursery

  • Description

  • Notes

Purple prairie clover is a midwest plains native and native to the Rockies, growing in open prairies and grasslands. In the Rockies, it is found as high as 7500 feet, and so is well suited to the bench and canyon areas. It has an upright, clumping, and spikish habit reminiscent of Liatris, with magenta to pink tufted blossoms forming along the stem ends in August and September. It grows about 24 to 30 inches tall and about 24 inches wide. Use in sunny borders or in naturally styled meadow gardens.
Grow in well drained soil in full sun to light shade. Tolerates poor soils and drought conditions. Syn with Dalea purpureum. Is hardy to -30f