Feather Dalea
Dalea formosa
Last reviewed: October 2026
Toxicity unknown
Feather Dalea (Dalea formosa) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Feather Dalea as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–72" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, CO, NM, OK and 1 more states
Pollinators
bees, nectar insects
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Feather Dalea.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Feather Dalea is a rounded native shrub that produces masses of small purple flower spikes from spring through summer. This drought-tolerant plant maintains a fairly compact, bushy form and requires minimal water once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
Feather Dalea takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The long blooming period provides nectar for bees and butterflies throughout the growing season. Native moths and other beneficial insects also rely on this plant for food and habitat.
Common questions
- How much sun does Feather Dalea need?
- Feather Dalea grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Feather Dalea bloom?
- Feather Dalea blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Feather Dalea native?
- Feather Dalea (Dalea formosa) is native to AZ, CO, NM, OK and 1 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Feather Dalea toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Feather Dalea as toxic to livestock.
- What pollinators does Feather Dalea attract?
- Feather Dalea draws bees and nectar insects.
- Is Feather Dalea HOA-friendly?
- Feather Dalea takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Feather Dalea? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.