Scientific: Dalea frutescens
Common: black dalea, black indigo bush
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Disturbed sites from southern and western Oklahoma, central Texas west to New Mexico and south into Chihuahua, Coahuila, and south to Nuevo León, Chihuahua, Mexico

Hardiness zones:
Sunset 11-13
USDA 8 - 11

Landscape Use: Accent shrub xeriscape gardens

Form & Character: Evergreen shrub, semi-prostrate and spreading

Growth Habit: Moderate 3' with greater spread

Foliage/texture: Grey green, small pinnately compound leaves, 8-20 oval leaflets, 1/8" long, fine texture

Flowers & fruits: Clusters of small violet flowers, fruit inconspicuous

Seasonal color: Flowers in Fall, August to November

Temperature: Tolerant, hardy to 15^oF

Light: Full sun

Soil: Well drained soil is best

Watering: Much drought once established. Water infrequently during summer to prevent excessive leaf drop.

Pruning: If leggy, prune severely to rejuvenate or control shape.

Propagation: Seed and cutting

Disease and pests: Root rot if drainage is poor

Additional comments: Informal looking, great for xeriscape landscapes. Fall blooms provide a landscape accent at a time when few other landscape plants are showy. Great contrast with Salvia greggii. Cultivar 'Sierra Negra' is a trade mark of Starr Nursery. Dalea pulchra (Indigo bush) looks very similar, but flowers in the spring instead of fall.