White Prairie Clover

White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) is a lovely choice for a sunny native garden where you want something that looks natural without demanding much attention once established. Its slender stems and fine-textured foliage give it a lighter, airier appearance than many prairie perennials, while the unusual cylindrical flower heads add plenty of interest. The little white flowers open progressively from the bottom of each spike upward, creating a distinctive ringed effect as the plant blooms.

This is particularly well suited to dry, well-drained garden spots, native plantings, rock gardens, and other areas where a tough perennial is useful. As a legume, it also fixes nitrogen in partnership with soil bacteria, making it an ecologically useful addition to a naturalized planting. Its flowers provide an excellent food source for bees and butterflies, so it can bring plenty of insect activity to the garden while fitting comfortably into a low-water landscape.