Organic purple prairie clover seeds
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)
Purple Prairie Clover is a valuable native perennial known for its striking purple flowers and numerous benefits as a cover plant. Found across a wide range of North America, particularly in prairie and grassland ecosystems, this resilient plant is an excellent choice for improving soil health and supporting local wildlife.
Cover Plant Benefits:
Nitrogen Fixation: As a legume, Purple Prairie Clover forms a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria in its roots, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for itself and surrounding plants.This naturally enriches the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Soil Health Improvement: Its deep, branching taproot system improves soil porosity and tilth (the physical condition of the soil), and helps prevent erosion, especially on slopes and disturbed sites.
Pollinator Attraction: The distinctive purple, cone-like flowers are highly attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees (like bumblebees, honeybees, and leafcutter bees) and butterflies (such as Dogface Sulphur and Reakirt's Blue, for which it is also a host plant)
Wildlife Support: Provides excellent, high-protein forage for livestock and wildlife, including deer and wild turkeys.Seeds are also a food source for birds and small mammals.
Drought Tolerance: Once established, its deep taproot makes it exceptionally drought-tolerant, thriving in well-drained soils and requiring little moisture after initial establishment.
Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, as it's adapted to harsh conditions and naturally contributes to soil fertility.It's generally not prone to significant pest or disease issues.
Health Benefits (Traditional Uses by Native Americans):Purple Prairie Clover has a history of traditional medicinal use among various Native American tribes, highlighting its perceived health benefits:
Wound Care: Bruised leaves were steeped in water and applied as a poultice to fresh wounds to aid healing.
Digestive Aid: A decoction of the leaves and blossoms was used to treat diarrhea.The roots were also sometimes chewed for a pleasant, sweet flavor.
Respiratory Issues: Infusions of the roots were used to treat conditions like measles and pneumonia.
Heart Health: Some tribes used a decoction of the leaves and blossoms for heart problems.
Planting Instructions:
When to Plant: Best to sow directly outdoors in the fall for natural cold stratification over winter, or in early spring. It can also be planted in spring on bare soil without overwintering if seeds are pre-scarified.
Pre-treatment: Cold stratification of seeds for about three months is generally recommended for optimal germination. Some sources indicate that scarification (nicking the seed coat) can also improve germination.
Soil: Adapts to a wide range of well-drained soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. It thrives in full sun.
Planting Depth: Sow seeds shallowly or simply surface sow and lightly rake them in.
Germination Time: Germination can take 14 to 30 days or longer; keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) until sprouts appear.
Growth Habit: It's a relatively slow-growing plant in its first year, but develops a robust, long-lived presence with a deep taproot. It typically grows 1-2.5 feet tall with upright, stiff stems.
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)
Purple Prairie Clover is a valuable native perennial known for its striking purple flowers and numerous benefits as a cover plant. Found across a wide range of North America, particularly in prairie and grassland ecosystems, this resilient plant is an excellent choice for improving soil health and supporting local wildlife.
Cover Plant Benefits:
Nitrogen Fixation: As a legume, Purple Prairie Clover forms a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria in its roots, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for itself and surrounding plants.This naturally enriches the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Soil Health Improvement: Its deep, branching taproot system improves soil porosity and tilth (the physical condition of the soil), and helps prevent erosion, especially on slopes and disturbed sites.
Pollinator Attraction: The distinctive purple, cone-like flowers are highly attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees (like bumblebees, honeybees, and leafcutter bees) and butterflies (such as Dogface Sulphur and Reakirt's Blue, for which it is also a host plant)
Wildlife Support: Provides excellent, high-protein forage for livestock and wildlife, including deer and wild turkeys.Seeds are also a food source for birds and small mammals.
Drought Tolerance: Once established, its deep taproot makes it exceptionally drought-tolerant, thriving in well-drained soils and requiring little moisture after initial establishment.
Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, as it's adapted to harsh conditions and naturally contributes to soil fertility.It's generally not prone to significant pest or disease issues.
Health Benefits (Traditional Uses by Native Americans):Purple Prairie Clover has a history of traditional medicinal use among various Native American tribes, highlighting its perceived health benefits:
Wound Care: Bruised leaves were steeped in water and applied as a poultice to fresh wounds to aid healing.
Digestive Aid: A decoction of the leaves and blossoms was used to treat diarrhea.The roots were also sometimes chewed for a pleasant, sweet flavor.
Respiratory Issues: Infusions of the roots were used to treat conditions like measles and pneumonia.
Heart Health: Some tribes used a decoction of the leaves and blossoms for heart problems.
Planting Instructions:
When to Plant: Best to sow directly outdoors in the fall for natural cold stratification over winter, or in early spring. It can also be planted in spring on bare soil without overwintering if seeds are pre-scarified.
Pre-treatment: Cold stratification of seeds for about three months is generally recommended for optimal germination. Some sources indicate that scarification (nicking the seed coat) can also improve germination.
Soil: Adapts to a wide range of well-drained soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. It thrives in full sun.
Planting Depth: Sow seeds shallowly or simply surface sow and lightly rake them in.
Germination Time: Germination can take 14 to 30 days or longer; keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) until sprouts appear.
Growth Habit: It's a relatively slow-growing plant in its first year, but develops a robust, long-lived presence with a deep taproot. It typically grows 1-2.5 feet tall with upright, stiff stems.