Description
Lespedeza – Bush Clover –
There are about 40 species of prostrate or trailing annuals, perennials, and deciduous subshrubs and shrubs in this genus. They occur in meadows, grassland, and rocky places in Southeastern Asia, Australia, and North America. They are grown for their small, pea-like flowers, profusely borne in axillary or terminal racemes. Leaves are alternate and 3 palmate. Excellent late flowering plants for a mixed or shrub border.
Grow in light, moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Divide in spring.
Prone to powdery mildew, tar spot, rust, stem rot, and leafhoppers.
L. thundergii ‘Alba’ – This woody based perennial or subshrub from Northern China and Japan grows 3-6′ feet tall and 10′ feet wide. From arching shoots it carries 3 palmate, blue-green leaves consisting of oval or oval-lance shaped leaflets, to 2″ long. In late summer, white flowers, to ½” long, are profusely borne in pendent, terminal racemes, to 6″ long.
Zones 6-8
