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Slender Bush Clover

Lespedeza virginica

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Partial
Soil moisture
Medium to Medium-Dry
Bloom time
Jul–Sep
Bloom color
Purple
Notes
Legume

About Slender Bush Clover

Slender Bush Clover is an elegant, fine-textured native wildflower that brings a touch of delicate beauty to the upland prairie or savanna. Standing 1 to 3 feet tall, it features narrow, wand-like stems clothed in small, slender leaves that give the plant an airy, graceful appearance. In mid to late summer, the upper portions of the stems are adorned with clusters of small, vibrant pink to purple pea-like flowers that are a magnet for native bees and butterflies. Native to the eastern and central United States, this perennial legume is often found in rocky woods, barrens, and dry prairies. It is incredibly hardy, tolerating poor soils and dry conditions with ease. Like its cousins, Slender Bush Clover is a nitrogen-fixer, helping to naturally fertilize the surrounding landscape. It is best grown in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Its slender profile and charming blooms make it a perfect choice for adding vertical interest and pollinator support to a sunny garden border or a diverse native meadow.

Native range

Native to 33 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasVirginiaWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Lespedeza virginica

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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