Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Black Dalea
Black Dalea is a rounded desert shrub with fine, lacy gray-green leaves, about 3 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. In fall it is covered in small rose-purple flowers, and bees, butterflies and hummingbirds come to them. It grows fuller in full sun and reflected heat and needs little water. Use it in beds, mass plantings or near patios.
Best for: fall color in beds and mass plantings, patios and courtyards, hot spots with reflected heat, and gardens for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Masses of small rose-purple flowers cover it in fall. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds visit the flowers.
It grows fuller and denser in full sun and reflected heat. Plant it 4 to 6 feet apart in beds or mass plantings.
Its rounded shape and fine, lacy leaves suit patios and courtyards. A cutback in late winter or early spring keeps it dense.
Too much water and soil that drains poorly are the main risks, so water lightly and plant it where water drains away. It can also drop some leaves in winter or in a summer drought.
- Closer planting4 ft apart, center to center
- Wider planting6 ft apart, center to center
Water a new plant every 2 to 4 days for the first few weeks, then stretch the time between waterings. Once it is rooted, it gets by on little water. A little extra water in the warm season makes it fuller, but do not overwater it.
Cut it back in late winter or early spring to keep it compact and dense. That also helps it flower.
It can drop leaves in winter or in a long drought, and it leafs out again afterward.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Black Dalea get?
It grows about 3 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide, with a rounded shape.
How far apart should I plant Black Dalea?
Plant it about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
When does Black Dalea bloom?
It blooms mainly in fall, when it is covered in small rose-purple flowers. Some plants also bloom in spring.
Does it attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds?
Yes. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all visit the flowers, so it is a good fit for a pollinator bed.
Can it take reflected heat?
Yes. It grows fuller and denser in full sun and reflected heat, so a hot, open bed suits it.
How often should I water Black Dalea?
It needs little water once rooted, and overwatering is the main thing to avoid. Some extra water in summer makes it fuller with more flowers.
When should I prune Black Dalea?
Prune it in late winter or early spring. Cutting it back then keeps it compact and dense, with more flowers.
Is Black Dalea evergreen?
Mostly, in the low desert. It can drop some leaves in cold weather or in a summer drought, then leafs out again.
How cold hardy is Black Dalea?
Cold ratings for it run from about 0°F to 15°F.
Where is Black Dalea from?
It comes from the Chihuahuan Desert, from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico into northern Mexico.
Black Dalea for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Black Dalea is a Chihuahuan Desert shrub grown for its lacy gray-green leaves and masses of purple flowers in fall. It takes full sun and reflected heat and needs little water. This page covers its size, spacing, bloom, pruning, watering and cold hardiness.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How big does Black Dalea get in Arizona?
It grows about 3 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide, with a rounded shape and fine, lacy gray-green leaves.
When does Black Dalea bloom?
It blooms mainly in fall with masses of small rose-purple flowers. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds visit them.
How far apart do you plant Black Dalea?
Plant it about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. That spacing works for beds and mass plantings.
How do you prune Black Dalea?
Prune it in late winter or early spring. Cutting it back then keeps it compact and dense and helps it flower.
How often do you water Black Dalea?
It needs little water once rooted, so take care not to overwater it. Some extra summer water makes it fuller, with more flowers.
Is Black Dalea good in reflected heat?
Yes. It grows fuller and denser in full sun and reflected heat, in any soil that drains well.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.