Lespedeza thunbergii
Bush clover, Miyagino-hagi, Thunberg's Lespedeza
Also known as Desmodium penduliflorum
- Height × spread
- 1.8m × 1.9m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This shrub is stunning when in flower when its arching stems, boughed by the weight of blossom, become pendulous cascades of rose purple flowers, grown on a raised bed it will hang like luxuriant drapes. The flowers are pea shaped and can theoretically flower twice a season, in June, and then August and September. However it comes late into growth, at least in Great Britain. It tends to die back over winter and will regrow from the base each year. This habit makes it unsuited to specimen positions as it only has a few months of glory each year. The leaves are rounded, trifoliate and coloured a light green. They take on some yellow tints in autumn before leaf fall. This stands from 1m (3ft) to 1.8m (6ft) in height with an equivalent spread.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Rose
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.8m
- Spread
- 1.9m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Gravel garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune hard to the base
Prune back to within 30cm to 45cm of the plant base so that the year's growth will begin from this low framework. If you want the plant to grow larger, this need only be done every few years.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.