Lespedeza bicolor aka Shrubby Bushclover

Lespedeza bicolor is a shrub in the bean family, Fabaceae. Its common names include bush clover and shrub lespedeza. It comes from eastern Asia, from southeastern Siberia to Japan. Its range also includes China, Korea, and eastern Mongolia. It grows in grassland, thickets, woods, and along forest edges. The shrub loses its leaves each year. Garden plants reach 5–10 feet (1.5–3.05 metres) tall and wide.

The shrub has an open shape with loosely spaced branches. Its upright stems are gray-green, and its branches can arch. It grows fast, reaching 5 feet (1.5 metres) in one season after cutting back. Each leaf has three leaflets, set along the stems alternately. The oval leaflets have smooth edges and pointed tips. Their upper faces range from dark green to blue-green. The lower faces are paler, and fall color adds little interest.

Pink to rose-purple flowers grow in upright racemes on new growth. They sit at stem tips and where leaves join stems. Each small flower has the shape of a pea flower. North Carolina State reports blooms from June through September. Missouri Botanical Garden gives August through September as its flowering season. Small, flat, brown pods follow the flowers. Each pod holds one black seed and stays closed when ripe. Pods may remain on the plant from August through March.

Grow this shrub in full sun with soil that drains well. It also accepts partial shade and poor, dry soil. Established plants cope with drought, but good drainage remains essential. Sources place it in USDA zones 4–8. Cold winters may kill the stems while the roots survive. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Gardeners in cold areas may cut it to ground level. Too much fertilizer can lead to long, weak growth.

Gardeners have used it in borders, woodland gardens, and large groups. Plantings on slopes and banks can help hold soil. Bobwhite quail find shelter and nesting sites among its branches. Birds and small mammals spread its seeds. This spread poses a serious risk in parts of the United States. North Carolina lists it as invasive, as do several other states. Dense stands can crowd out native plants and hinder forest regrowth. Sources report no major pest or disease problems. Plants For A Future lists cooked young leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds as food. It also records leaves as a tea substitute and no known hazards. That report does not establish safety for pets. Other uses include basket making, windbreaks, and seed oil for lubrication.