Western Prairie Clover in the Landscape

Heidi Kratsch, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Reno, NV

Scientfic Name: Dalea ornata
Common Name: Western Prairie Clover, Showy Prairie Clover, Blue Mountain Prairie Clover

Description: This herbaceous perennial legume is native to northwestern Nevada and northern California north to western Idaho, eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington at elevations ranging from 1100 to 3300 feet. Flowers occur in loosely arranged orb-shaped spikes at the terminal ends of the flowering stalks. Flower color is light pink to purple with yellow stamens that protrude from the flower. It blooms in late spring and stays in bloom throughout the summer.

Native Habitat: Found in sagebrush-steppe community in the southern Columbia Plateau and the northern Great Basin.

Cultural Requirement

Soil: Sandy, well-drained, infertile.

Moisture Tolerance: Intolerant of overwatering.

Sun/Shade/Preference: Full sun.

Transplanting: Unknown.

Propagation: Seeds must be scarified using sandpaper or 98% sulfuric acid, planted at a depth of ¼ to ½ inch.

Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc): No fertilization required. Needs only a minimum amount of water once established. Takes one year to establish. May need to be cut back to the crown if it becomes overgrown or floppy after 3-4 years. Does not spread aggressively by seed or roots.

Insect, disease, or other problems: Rodents, insect

Landscape Value

Use in the Landscape: Rangeland revegetation, forage, ornamental, attracts native and agricultural bee pollinators.

Foliage: Light green, fine-textured, pinnately compound, 5-7 leaflets

Timing: Apr-Oct

Fruit: Pods containing one or two seeds.

Form: Upright, multi-stemmed.

Texture: Medium.

Ultimate Size: 2 feet high x 2 feet wide.

Rate of Growth: Fast-growing.

Suggested Plant Partners: Ornamental grasses.

Availability: Limited

Cultivars: No ornamental cultivars available.

References:

Kratsch, H.A. 2009. Evaluating intraspecies diversity of Intermountain West native plants. Report of the Intermountain Native Plants Cooperative 1: 6-9.

Scheinost, P., D.A. Johnson and J.H. Cane. 2009. Plant guide for western prairie clover (Dalea ornata). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pullman Plant Materials Center. Pullman, WA.