Dalea formosa is a semi-evergreen species of flowering plant in the genus Dalea, known by the common names feather dalea and featherplume; it is named for the physician Samuel Dale. The plant is native to the southern United States. It is highly tolerant of heat, cold, and drought. It is favored by honeybees; but of much less use to most wildlife, with the exception of rabbits and deer. Unique to most plants, it blooms all year long and also has a long lifespan.
Featherplume resists disease well and is usually not susceptible to illnesses. Regarding care, this plant is fairly low-maintenance. Outdoors it needs only light watering, and mature plants typically do not require pruning. Smaller specimens, however, should be trimmed after they finish blooming. Featherplumet is appropriate for people with an outdoor area, such as a garden or deck, and does not demand a lot of care experience.
How to keep Dalea Formosa.
Light
Featherplume is native to open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, where light is plentiful. It does best in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to a range of sunlight conditions.
Temperature
Featherplume has good temperature adaptability and can endure higher heat and wider temperature fluctuations. In hot weather, attention should be paid to watering and supplying appropriate shade to prevent sunburn. However, Featherplume is relatively sensitive to low temperatures. While it tolerates some cold, excessively low temperatures can cause frost damage.
Fertilizer
The timing of fertilizing Featherplume is important. Apply fertilizer in early spring and continue once a month until early summer. Fertilizer promotes lovely blooms and supplies energy during both dormant and active growth phases.
Pruning
Featherplume is known for its feathery foliage and vibrant flowers. To keep the plant healthy and beautiful, prune it in early spring. This will help remove any damaged branches and improve air circulation and light penetration, encouraging new growth. Regular pruning not only enhances the plant's health and appearance but also makes it a valuable addition to any thriving garden.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Dalea
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 5-9
- Mature Height
- 0.91 m to 1.83 m
- Mature Spread
- 30 cm to 61 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Gray
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Purple, Pink
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 2.03 cm
- Bloom Time
- Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer
- Harvest Time
- Summer
- Native Area
- Mexico
Other names.
