Bush Clover Lespedeza virginica
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Bush Clover:
- Phonetic Spelling
- less-pe-DEEZ-a vir-JIN-ih-kuh
- Description
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Lespedeza virginica is a broad leaf perennial in which hybridizing has resulted in a great variation in the 18 or more species. In the wild, it can be found growing in dry woods, clearings, thickets, sandy prairies, hill prairies, rocky upland forests, savannas, scrubby barrens, limestone glades bluffs and along lakes. Typically, oak trees dominate the wooded areas where this plant is found.
The seeds from this plant is a food source for the bobwhite quail.
They are capable of forming fertile seeds without insect pollination. It will naturalize by reseeding and prostrate stems rooting at the nodes.
As it blooms on new wood, cut this herbaceous plant to the ground in the winter. It will come back next spring with a vengeance.
Recipient of the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No notable issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lespedeza
- Species:
- virginica
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China and Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas) larvae which has many broods from February-November. The adult butterflies feed on low-lying, open or short-tubed flowers such as white sweet clover, shepherd's needle, wild strawberry, winter cress, cinquefoils, and asters. Attract birds, butterflies, and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from August to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pea-like flowers on slender stalks bloom from July to September.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Small oblong leaves 1 1/2" x 1/2" with a tiny point at the tip on long stalks
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Long stalks, upright stems and many branches.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
