Slimflower scurfpea
Pediomelum tenuiflorum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Pediomelum tenuiflorum, or slimflower scurfpea, is a drought tolerant prairie forb that blooms May through July with pale purple flowers, growing well in full sun and low water sites and attracting bees.
Toxicity unknown
Slimflower scurfpea (Pediomelum tenuiflorum) 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.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, CO, IA, IL and 17 more states
Pollinators
bees
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
An upright perennial forb in the pea family with slender stems, small trifoliate leaves, and narrow spikes of violet-blue, pea-shaped flowers in early summer. Develops a deep taproot and thrives in lean, well-drained soil, making it a low-maintenance choice for a naturalized prairie-style planting.
Growing Slimflower scurfpea
Grow Slimflower scurfpea in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Slimflower scurfpea is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, mid zone, street edge.
Wildlife value
Pea-like flowers are visited by bees, and the deep taproot helps anchor loose, sandy soils.
Common questions
- When does slimflower scurfpea bloom?
- Slimflower scurfpea generally flowers from May into July, producing slender spikes of small pale purple blooms.
- What growing conditions suit slimflower scurfpea best?
- It does best in full sun with low water, the kind of dry, well drained prairie and grassland soil it is typically found growing in.
- What pollinators visit slimflower scurfpea flowers?
- Bees are the main pollinators recorded visiting the flowers of this plant.
- Does slimflower scurfpea need regular watering once established?
- No, established plants tolerate low moisture well and are prone to rot if kept consistently wet.
- Is Slimflower scurfpea HOA-friendly?
- Slimflower scurfpea is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Slimflower scurfpea? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.