Species bush clover
Off-white flower with magenta center, lime buds, white hair, lime sepals green leaves, yellow veins, lime-green stems, white midrib and blades

bush clover

Lespedeza capitata

Bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) is a deciduous perennial shrub native to North America. It grows up to 1.5 to 2m in height with trifoliate (three-parted) leaves. The leaves are light green, and the flowers are small, yellowish pink or white in colours. The fruit are red pods which contain small black seeds. The plant is very drought tolerant and grows best in full sun, however it can tolerate partial shade. Bush clover is also a great source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators, and its flower add beauty to gardens.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Creamy white with magenta spot Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Bush clover should be watered thoroughly 1-2 times per week depending on the weather. During dry spells, the soil should be watered deeply once a week, and during wetter periods only light watering is needed. It is important to avoid over-watering, as the plant is susceptible to root rot. Bush clover can be sensitive to drying out, so check soil moisture with your finger before watering. The bottom line is to give the plant enough water to keep the soil consistently moist.

sunlight

Bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) thrives best in full sun, meaning it needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to reach its full potential. The best time of day for the plant to receive this type of sunlight is between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun is at its strongest. Light levels should be consistent throughout the day, to ensure the plant receives the optimal amount of sunlight. It's important to note that Bush clover is not tolerant of extreme heat or direct harsh sunlight for longer periods, so care should be taken to shield the plant from the direct rays of the sun during the hottest parts of the day.

pruning

Bush clover should be pruned during the active growing season, preferably in the spring or early summer. Pruning should be done to remove diseased or dead branches and to selectively control the size and shape of the plant. It is best to use a light pruning; cutting back no more than 1-third of the new growth each season. Pruning can also help with air circulation and encourage more blooms for a more attractive shrub.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Lespedeza capitata typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Lespedeza capitata typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map