Shrubby Lespedeza Lespedeza bicolor

Shruby lespedeza is a semi-woody deciduous shrub or subshrub in the Fabaceae (bean) family native to eastern Asia and introduced to the U.S.A. in the late 1800's.  This invasive shrub was introduced for soil stabilization and in wildlife food plots but it easily spreads in openings and under forest canopies.  The plant can form dense thickets that limit forest regeneration and crowding out native vegetation.   The genus name Lespedeza is named after the Spanish Governor of West Florida Vincente Manuel de Cespedes (1784 to 1790) and the species bicolor means two colors.

It grows as an upright, open, loosely branched, arching shrub reaching a mature height and width of 5 to 10 feet. Well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade is preferred while it is very tolerant of poor, dry soils and drought.  It grows well on steep areas subject to erosion.  Avoid excess fertilizer as it becomes leggy and unkept with age and prune back heavily in early spring. With rapid growth it can reach up to 5 feet in just one growing season.

Showy pink to purple clusters of flowers appear from June to September on new growth 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect or disease problems.  It is very weedy and naturalizes easily in the landscape. Clumps can be dug up and bagged in large heavy-duty garbage bags so the seeds do not spread. It is listed as invasive in several southern and Mideastern states.