Also known as Bush Clover · 135 gardener saves
Lespedeza: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Lespedeza, the genus most gardeners know as bush clover. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Lespedeza varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGibraltar Lespedeza
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Gibraltar'
#2 most saved'Spilt Milk' Bushclover
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spilt Milk'
#3 most savedEdo Shibori Bush Clover
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Edo Shibori'
How to grow Lespedeza
What the Lespedeza varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Lespedeza year
- MulchNovember100% of varieties
Refresh mulch layer in spring to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
- PruneFebruary100% of varieties
Cut back hard to 6-12 inches in late winter/early spring, as it blooms on new wood.
Do
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Water regularly during dry periods 💧
- Prune after flowering to promote dense growth ✂️
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid heavy fertilization, as it prefers lean soil
- Don’t neglect pruning after flowering
What goes wrong with Lespedeza
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale insects | Small bumps on stems and leaves | Use horticultural oil |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use fungicidal spray and improve air circulation |
| Leaf spot | Dark spots on leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected foliage |
Making more Lespedeza
seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks.
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks.
cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep cuttings warm and moist for 6 weeks.
Lespedeza questions
How many types of Lespedeza are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Lespedeza varieties. The most popular — ranked by 135 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Lespedeza grow in?
Across its varieties, Lespedeza covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Lespedeza bloom?
Most Lespedeza varieties bloom in late summer, late summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lespedeza should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Lespedeza shows up in
Design with Lespedeza in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
