Virginia Bushclover Plant Care

Virginia Bushclover (Lespedeza virginica) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lespedeza genus. Virginia Bushclover is native to much of the United States, as well as Ontario, Canada, and Nuevo León, Mexico. Virginia Bushclover is also known as Slender Bushclover, Dwarf Bushclover, Hedysarum reticulatum.

Virginia Bushclover displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Virginia Bushclover produces showy clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Virginia Bushclover every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Virginia Bushclover thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Lespedeza virginica tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Virginia Bushclover prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Virginia Bushclover to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Virginia Bushclover every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Virginia Bushclover is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Virginia Bushclover can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Virginia Bushclover while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Virginia Bushclover is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Virginia Bushclover can be propagated through seeds, division of roots. Similar propagation techniques also apply to roundhead bush clover plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Virginia Bushclover is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Virginia Bushclover grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Virginia Bushclover is native to much of the United States, as well as Ontario, Canada, and Nuevo León, Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Virginia Bushclover as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.