Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Yellow Dalea
Yellow Dalea is a low groundcover from Mexico with fine-textured, aromatic green leaves, up to about a foot tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Small yellow flower spikes carpet it in spring and again in fall, and bees and butterflies visit them. Its compact size fits small gardens, underplantings and patio pots. It takes full sun and is rated hardy to about 0°F.
Best for: small gardens and tight beds, underplanting, patio pots, and pollinator-friendly groundcover in full sun.
It stays under about a foot tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. That size fits small gardens, tight beds and underplantings.
It grows well in patio containers, where you can see the flowers up close. Yellow flower spikes cover it in spring and fall, and bees and butterflies visit.
Planted 3 to 4 feet apart, it knits into a low, fine-textured groundcover with aromatic leaves.
It needs soil that drains well and should not be overwatered, so plant it where water does not stand. It can also drop some leaves in cold weather.
- Closer planting3 ft apart, center to center
- Wider groundcover4 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, give it low to moderate water, and do not overwater it.
Shear or trim it in early spring. That keeps it tidy and dense for the season.
It keeps most of its leaves in the low desert, but it can drop some in cold weather.
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.
Is Yellow Dalea the same as Lemon Dalea?
Yes. Dalea capitata is sold as both yellow dalea and lemon dalea.
How big does Yellow Dalea get?
It grows up to about a foot tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, as a low groundcover.
How far apart should I plant it?
Plant it about 3 to 4 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
When does it bloom?
It blooms in spring and again in fall, with small yellow flower spikes. It can flower through the warm season.
Does it attract bees and butterflies?
Yes. Bees and butterflies visit the yellow flowers in spring and fall.
Do rabbits eat it?
Rabbits tend to leave its aromatic leaves alone.
How often should I water it?
Give it low to moderate water once it is rooted. Do not overwater, and plant it in soil that drains well.
When should I trim it?
Shear or trim it in early spring to keep it tidy and dense.
Does it keep its leaves in winter?
Mostly, in the low desert. It can drop some leaves in cold weather.
How cold hardy is Yellow Dalea?
It is rated hardy to about 0°F, so cold is not a concern for it here.
Yellow Dalea for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Yellow Dalea, also called lemon dalea, is a low groundcover from Mexico with fine aromatic leaves and yellow flowers in spring and fall. It stays small, takes full sun and handles cold to about 0°F. This page covers its size, spacing, bloom, watering and care.
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.
What is Yellow Dalea?
Yellow Dalea, also sold as lemon dalea, is a low groundcover from Mexico. It has fine, aromatic green leaves and small yellow flower spikes in spring and fall.
How big does Yellow Dalea get?
It grows up to about a foot tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Its compact size suits small gardens and patio pots.
How far apart do you plant Yellow Dalea?
Plant it about 3 to 4 feet apart, center to center, and it fills in as a low groundcover.
When does Yellow Dalea bloom?
It blooms in spring and again in fall. Bees and butterflies visit the yellow flowers.
How often do you water Yellow Dalea?
Give it low to moderate water once rooted, and do not overwater. Soil that drains well matters most.
How cold hardy is Yellow Dalea?
It is rated hardy to about 0°F. In the low desert it keeps most of its leaves, but it can drop some in cold weather.
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.