One of the great things about gardeners is that no two of us have the exact same taste in plants. Some gardeners prefer neat, ordered, well-mannered landscapes, while others lean towards more of a natural, wild aesthetic. Some of us fill our landscapes with familiar, classic plants, while others gravitate towards plants that are uncommon, perhaps even unusual. Some think of gardening as mainly a springtime activity and thus their landscapes are filled with plants that bloom only in April and May, while others value color and interest throughout as much of the year as possible. As such, no two landscapes end up looking quite the same, and the world of plants provides endless opportunities for creative expression. If your tastes tend toward the unusual and unkempt, and you’re always on the hunt for plants that bloom at odd times, you will probably love Lespedeza, also known as bush clover, a sprawling shrub with purple pea-like blooms in the fall. Although there are several species of Lespedeza, the one most suitable for garden use is Lespedeza thunbergii, a variety that grows three to six feet tall and wide, although plants will usually be a bit wider than they are tall. It is worth noting that many other species of Lespedeza are generally considered weeds and sometimes appear on invasive plant lists. While Lespedeza thunbergii will drop some seedlings and does take up a fair amount of space in the landscape, it is reasonably well-behaved compared to its relatives.
The ornamental value of Lespedeza comes mainly from its intense autumn-bloom. Its long arching branches are loaded with tiny flowers from base to tip. Though obviously different in flower color, the shape of the plant creates a similar effect to plants like forsythia, which blooms golden yellow in early spring, or abelia, with its light pink flowers during summer. The flowers are frequently visited by butterflies and the occasional hummingbird. When the long branches rest against bare soil, they will sometimes root at the point of contact. Once rooted, these rooted stems can be cut off and easily transplanted or shared, if so desired. Lespedeza is native to Central and Southern China, and other parts of East Asia, and is hardy from zones 5 through 8. It typically will die back to the ground in our winters, and if you are growing Lespedeza you should plan to cut it back to the ground every spring, in order to allow it generate a flush of new growth. 'Gibraltar' is one of the larger Lespedeza cultivars, growing six feet tall and twelve feet wide. A few of the cultivars of note include ‘Alba,’ a white-blooming variety, ‘Gibraltar,’ which is slightly larger than what is typical for the species, and ‘Little Volcano,’ which has darker rose-purple flowers. Because of its shape and growth habit, Lespedeza is a good plant to incorporate in areas where it can sprawl, such as slopes, near walls or water features, or in border areas. It is also quite drought-resistant once established, so it will do well in hot, dry areas of the landscape.
Matthew Stevens is the County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Pitt County Center. If you have questions about this article or gardening in general, please contact the Pitt County Extension Master Gardeners at [email protected] or 252-902-1705.
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Matt Stevens
Pitt County Extension Director & Horticulture Agent Archives
January 2025
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