Flower Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 6 - 9
- Height: 18 - 36 inches
- Bloom Season: Early to mid summer
- Bloom Color: White
- Environment: Full sun
- Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy, pH 6.2 - 7.5
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 65 - 70F
- Average Germ Time: 14 - 30 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: 1/16 inch
- Sowing Rate: 1 pound per 5,000 square feet
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Prairie Clover (Dalea Candida White) - This native perennial plant is similar to Purple Prairie Clover except the blooms are white and it will grow slightly taller reaching 18 - 36 inches in height. The foliage is pale green with leaves that can vary from 2 - 7 inches in length. Both the stems and leaves are hairless. Sprouting from this foliage are short spikes of white flowers which are 1 - 3 inches in height and approximately 3/4 inch in diameter. The small flowers form a wreath around the bottom of the spike, which moves upward as the season progresses making White Prairie Clover very unique and attractive. White Prairie Clover is easily propagated from seed, and it is very versatile. Because it has an extensive root system, it is not only drought tolerant, but it also is useful for erosion control on slopes, and it works well in naturalized landscapes.
White Prairie Clover blooms during early to mid-summer and lasts about a month, and the flowers have a pleasant fragrance. The flowers seeds fall to the ground, and Prairie Clover will often reseed itself. White Prairie Clover can get a taproot that extends up to five feet in the ground making it very drought tolerant. As a clover, and a legume, it is tolerant of poor soils and will improve the soil by fixating nitrogen. In addition, White Prairie Clover is palatable and high in protein and is readily consumed by mammalian herbivores of all kinds, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock.
A late fall planting of White Prairie Clover flower seed directly outdoors is suggested. Prepare a clean weed-free seed bed. Sow the clover seed and lightly cover 1/16 inch. The clover seed will lie dormant through the winter, and will begin to germinate in the spring when temperatures warm. If rainfall is inadequate, water regularly until plants are well-established.
