Plant of the Month: Silver Dalea
Silver Dalea Dalea bicolor var. argyraea and var. bicolor
In their native range, Silver Daleas are low-growing evergreen shrubs with fine hairs covering its foliage to create a silver effect, most apparent on var. argyraea. Combined with short purple flower spikes from July to September, this native becomes a popular landscaping choice in Mexico and the southern states (hardy in zones 8-10). As expected from its origin, Silver Dale has a long taproot allowing it to find moisture some distance away. Requires full sun.
Other common Names: silver prairie clover
Global Range: Limestone hills and mountains between 1500 and 5000 ft (450 -1500m) of s.e. New Mexico, w. Texas, and in Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León, Mexico.
Ranking:
Rounded Global Status: G4 - Apparently Secure
Reasons: Rank is based on geographic distribution rather than abundance data. Range is moderate, and there is no indication of rarity in the floras.
Related Species
Blue Dalea, Baja Dalea (D. bicolor var.orcuttiana); Indigo Bush (Dalea versicolor – ranges from Arizona to Guatemala)
Identification:
A woody evergreen shrub 3 ft (1m) tall by 3 ft (1m) wide. With erect or trailing stems. It has pinnately compound leaves about 1 inch long, composed of seven to thirteen 1/4 inch opposite leaflets. Leaves are glandular punctate or gland-dotted, hairy on one or both surfaces.
The blooms of silver dalea (D. bicolor var argyraea) are generally purple, while those of D. bicolor var bicolor tend more to blue.
A member of the pea family, Silver Dalea’s produce hairy, legumous fruit with kidney (reniform) or heart-shaped (cordiform) seeds coloured olive, brown or black. Semideciduous in mild areas and fully deciduous elsewhere.
Cultivation: 
Generally hardy in zones 8 - 10 (to 10F (-12C)). Var. orcuttiana (Baja Dalea) is somewhat less hardy, suffering tip damage at 28F (-2.2C). Drought tolerant, but benefits from irrigation during prolonged dry spells.
Wildlife:
Silver dalea is a host plant for Dogface and Sulfur butterfly larvae. Good nectar plant. It's leaves are browsed by rabbits and other herbivores. Used as cover by small animals.
