Lespedeza cyrtobotrya aka Leafy Lespedeza

Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, or leafy lespedeza, is a deciduous shrub. It belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its native range spans temperate parts of eastern Asia. These include the Russian Far East, China, Korea and Japan. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Wild plants grow in meadows and grassy places among hills. They also grow on mountain slopes, in thickets and forests. Records place these habitats below 4,920 feet [1,500 metres].

The shrub reaches about 6.6 feet [2 metres] tall. It loses its leaves for winter. Cold weather can kill the stems without killing the rootstock. In all but very mild winters, growth often dies to ground level. The roots generally send up fresh shoots the next spring. These shoots can flower in late summer that same year. PFAF lists August as the flowering month. Seeds ripen from September to October. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers.

Grow this shrub in full sun rather than shade. PFAF describes it as easy to grow in light loam. Sandy soil also suits it, provided water drains well. It prefers moist soil, rather than a poorly drained site. It accepts mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline conditions. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9. Its winter survival depends partly on the hardier roots. The top growth has less cold tolerance than the rootstock. This difference helps explain its cycle of dieback and regrowth.

The plant suits cultivated beds and offers late-summer flowers. Root bacteria form nodules that take nitrogen from the air. The shrub uses some of this nitrogen for growth. Nearby plants may also gain some of it. Its small branches have a practical use in basket making. People cook the young leaves and shoot tips for food. PFAF gives its edible value a low rating. It reports no known medicinal uses and no known hazards. That hazard record does not establish safety for every use.

Seeds and partly ripened cuttings provide ways to raise new plants. Soak seeds in warm water for one day before spring sowing. PFAF recommends greenhouse shelter through the seedlings’ first winter. Set them outdoors after the last expected frost. Take cuttings in July or August, keeping a heel attached. These cuttings can prove hard to overwinter. PFAF does not flag the species as weedy.