Dalea orcutti
Baja dalea, Indigo bush
Also known as Dalea bicolor var. orcuttiana
- Height × spread
- 1.2m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a gentle and attractive plant that makes a moderate sized shrub. They have very small grey green leaves that are carried, sparingly, on light brown stems. This flowers in autumn in its Mexican and Texan homeland. There may be some flowers at other seasons. The flowers are pea shaped and coloured a purple hued pink. This is barely frost hardy and cannot winter outside in the UK. The young foliage may be nibbled by rabbits.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.2m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover, Rabbit resistant
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Rabbits
- Young foliage may be nibbled by rabbits
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.