Bush Dalea

Name: Bush Dalea
Brand: Outdoor Dream Builders

Dalea pulchra

An Arizona native shrub with purple blooms spanning fall through spring that attract bees and butterflies.

Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; an Arizona native that shrugs off low- and mid-desert frost and full summer heat while staying evergreen.

AMWUA Notes

A low-water Arizona native that blooms in the cool season and fixes its own nitrogen; needs little care once established.

Care Guide

💧Watering

Low water once established; soak deeply every 2 weeks in summer and rely mostly on cool-season rain when it does much of its blooming.

✂️Pruning

Lightly shear or head back right after the spring bloom finishes to keep the silvery mound compact; avoid pruning in fall when flower buds are forming.

🌱Fertilizing

None needed; it is a nitrogen-fixing legume adapted to lean soils.

🛡️Pests

No significant pest problems.

☀️Seasonal Notes

Evergreen with silver-gray foliage, it flowers purple from fall through spring, an important cool-season nectar plant, and needs no frost protection.

Soil, Feeding & Propagation

🪨Soil

Rocky, well-drained soils; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5; a nitrogen-fixing legume.

💧Drainage

Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.

🌱Nutrient Needs

None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.

🌰Propagation

From scarified, rhizobia-inoculated seed.

📐Spacing

3-4 ft

🌳Roots & Placement

Non-aggressive roots; safe near pools and paving.

Placement Tips

•Compact and rounded at 3 ft by 4 ft; space 3-4 ft apart for a low silvery hedge or foundation row.
•Its neat form and low litter make it a reliable, tidy choice near patios and pool decks.
•The silver foliage sets off darker green shrubs and cactus specimens.
•Plant in full sun for the densest habit and heaviest cool-season bloom.