Lespedeza thunbergii
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- less-pe-DEEZ-a thun-BER-jee-eye
- Description
-
Lespedeza thunbergii is a deciduous shrub that grows as a fountain-like mound of arching stems. Grow in full sun or part shade. A location with full sun will produce the best flowering. Will grow in a variety of soils as long as good drainage is provided.
Pruning should be done in late winter to early spring before new growth begins as this plant will bloom on new growth only. Pruning to the ground in late winter will encourage rapid spring growth.
Arching stems that reach ground level and continue to grow horizontally along the ground can set out roots where the nodes come in contact with the ground. It will also reseed itself.
Deemed a Plant of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
- 'Gibraltar'
Blooms late summer-early fall. Fountain-like arching stems. - 'Samidare'
Fuchsia pink blooms - 4-5' tall
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Gibraltar', 'Samidare'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
- 'Gibraltar'
Blooms late summer-early fall. Fountain-like arching stems. - 'Samidare'
Fuchsia pink blooms - 4-5' tall
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Gibraltar', 'Samidare'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lespedeza
- Species:
- thunbergii
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Himalaya to Central & S. China and Temp. E. Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Screening
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Pea shaped flowers on 6" racemes
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Trifoliate, bluish-green leaves
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multi-stemmed
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
