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Lemon Dalea

Dalea capitata

In stock

5 gallon

Plant Care

Native region:

Desert Adapted

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Mature size:

Growth rate:

Full Sun; Filtered Sun

1'x4'

Flower color:

Flower season:

Pruning:

Yellow

Spring; Fall

May need to be cut back by half every couple of years

Wildlife

Monarchs:

Nectar pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Rabbit resistant:

Yes

Lemon Dalea is a durable, semi-deciduous groundcover that quickly forms a dense mat of bright green, fine-textured foliage. It grows to about 8 inches tall and spreads up to 3 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for tight planting areas like street medians, parking lot planters, and borders. Its compact size and tolerance to reflected heat allow it to thrive in harsh desert conditions, where it often serves as a lush green groundcover. This plant is native to Coahuila, Mexico.

Lemon Dalea produces small clusters of vibrant yellow, pea-like flowers that appear on short spikes, creating a beautiful floral carpet above the foliage. These blooms are most prolific in spring and fall, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden. The foliage emits a faint lemony fragrance when crushed, adding a pleasant scent to your landscape.

This groundcover performs best in full sun and well-drained soil, though it can tolerate some light shade. It's drought-resistant but responds well to moderate irrigation, ensuring a healthy, lush appearance. However, it’s crucial to avoid overwatering, as the plant prefers drier conditions once established. It’s hardy down to 5°F, though it may lose its foliage when temperatures dip into the low 20s. In mild winters, it may retain its leaves, adding year-round greenery to your garden.

To maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming rangy, prune Lemon Dalea back by half every year or two in late winter or early spring. The plant is typically rabbit-resistant, though in areas with heavy rabbit activity, it may need some protection.

Lemon Dalea's bright green foliage and golden flower spikes make it a versatile choice for rock gardens, borders, and areas with reflected heat. It pairs beautifully with the sharp, architectural lines of agaves and yuccas, creating a striking contrast. This plant also works well around water features, such as fountains and ponds, where its lush foliage adds a soft, natural look. Whether used as a mass planting, along walkways, or tucked among large boulders, Lemon Dalea brings vibrant color and texture to any desert landscape.

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on my research from reliable sources, observations I have made of plants growing in my, and other gardens I have visited, and observations of the plants in their native habitats. I would appreciate your feedback and experience to help me educate others!

Cacti: In my experience, cacti are much happier in the filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Colors are more vibrant and they bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you pay attention to how our native barrel and beavertail opuntia grow in the wild, it is frequently tucked in the rocks under creosote or another shrub.

Light Requirements: I have found that in our desert (Sonoran/Colorado) “full sun” plants can take and appreciate the late afternoon filtered sun, especially in the hot summer months.