Lespedeza virginica aka Slender Bush Clover

Lespedeza virginica, or Virginia bush clover, belongs to the bean family. This wildflower is a perennial: it lives for years. Its native range spans the central and eastern United States. It extends into northeastern Mexico. It grows in dry woods, open clearings, thickets, and prairies. It also grows on rocky uplands and in savannas. Other sites include limestone glades and lake edges. Oaks often share the wooded sites where it grows.

In gardens, plants reach 2–3 feet [0.6–0.9 metres] tall. They spread 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 metres] wide. The same source gives larger sizes elsewhere on its page. These reach 6 feet [1.8 metres] tall and 10 feet [3 metres] wide. Green stems stand upright, branch freely, and bear white hairs. Small leaves grow on long stalks, taking turns along the stems. The blue-green leaves range from narrow to oblong in shape. Their edges are smooth, and each tip has a small point. Some leaves have three leaflets.

Pink, pea-shaped flowers grow on thin stalks from the leaf axils. These are the joints where leaves meet stems. Each flower has a broad top petal with purple-red marks. Two side petals and a lower lip make up the rest. Blooms span less than an inch. They last about three weeks between July and September. Bees, flies, and butterflies visit to feed on nectar. Plants can form fertile seeds even when no insects visit. Bean pods form from August through November. Quail, other birds, and small mammals eat the seeds or fruit.

Grow this plant in full sun or part shade. It prefers moist to dry soil that drains well. Sand, loam, and rocky ground all suit it. It can grow in acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Once plants take root, they can cope with drought. Their roots fix nitrogen, which helps enrich poor ground. The listed hardiness range spans USDA zones 4–9. Plants bloom on new growth. Cut stems to ground level in winter for fresh spring growth. Raise more plants from seed, by division, or from stem cuttings.

Virginia bush clover suits meadows, woodland gardens, and informal borders. It fits cottage gardens and sites planted for wildlife too. Eastern tailed-blue butterfly larvae eat its leaves. Deer and rabbits also browse the leaves. It spreads by seed and by low stems rooting at nodes. This helps it settle into planting areas with a natural style. It needs little care. Reports note no serious pest or disease problems. The supplied evidence does not show whether humans can eat it. Nor does it show whether it is safe for pets.