Lespedeza buergeri

Lespedeza buergeri is a deciduous shrub in the pea family, Fabaceae. It comes from temperate parts of China and Japan. Kew places its native range in central and southern regions of both countries. Japanese records include Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. It grows beside mountain rivers, where the ground can be rocky. In China, it also grows on slopes, in woods, and along roads and ditches.

The shrub reaches about 5 feet (1.5 metres) tall. Its woody shoots can suffer in cold weather. The roots withstand more cold than the growth above ground. In all but very mild winters, shoots may die back to ground level. The plant usually sends up fresh growth from its base in spring. These new shoots can still flower in late summer. This cycle matters when choosing its place in a garden bed.

Plants For A Future gives July to August as the flowering season. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers, and seeds ripen from September to October. The plant also forms a close link with soil bacteria. These bacteria live in root nodules and fix nitrogen from the air. The shrub uses some of that nitrogen for its own growth. Plants growing near it may also gain some benefit.

Grow this shrub in full sun, with moist soil that drains well. Plants For A Future describes it as easy to grow in light loam. Sandy soil is also suitable, but shade is not. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils. The same source lists USDA zones 5–9. Its greater root hardiness helps explain how it survives winter shoot loss. Cultivated beds offer a place to grow it for its summer flowers.

Young leaves and shoot tips have a recorded use as cooked food. Plants For A Future gives its food value a low rating. It lists no known hazards, though this does not prove complete safety. No medicinal uses are recorded there. To raise plants from seed, soak seeds in warm water for one day. Sow them in spring under glass. Keep seedlings under glass through their first winter. Plant them out after frost risk has passed. Summer cuttings are another option, though their first winter can be difficult.