Lespedeza bicolor aka Shrubby Bushclover

Taxonomy

Lespedeza bicolor, also known as shrubby bushclover, shrub lespedeza, and bicolor lespedeza, is a deciduous medium-sized shrub native to Asia. It was introduced to the United States in the mid-1800s as an ornamental plant and has since been used for erosion control, revegetation of strip mined lands, and improving wildlife habitats. While it is widely grown as an ornamental plant, it has also become an invasive species in some regions, such as the southeastern United States. The plant offers dark green trifoliate leaves on gray to green stems and long arching sprays of five to fifteen small magenta-purple pea flowers. It is drought-tolerant and grows well in infertile, medium-dry, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, making it a good choice for difficult sites. Its roots fix nitrogen, and in harsh climates, it can be cut to the ground in late winter or early spring and will regrow to five feet tall in a single season. As a houseplant, Shrubby Bushclover is super rare and easy to grow, but it needs regular watering to thrive. It prefers long-lasting, direct light and should be less than one foot from a window. The plant likes soil that is well-draining, and it shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. Belonging to the Lespedeza genus, this plant is native to Southeastern Siberia to Japan.

Common names

Shrubby Bushclover, Shrub Lespedeza, Bicolor Lespedeza, Bush Clover

How to care for Shrubby Bushclover

Difficulty

Shrubby Bushclover requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Shrubby Bushclover should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Shrubby Bushclover loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Shrubby Bushclover prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Shrubby Bushclover to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Fertilizer

The Shrubby Bushclover should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

Shrubby Bushclover’s native range is E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria.


More info:
Wikipedia