Leafy Lespedeza

Lespedeza cyrtobotrya

Native to:
China, Japan, Korea, Russia

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Lespedeza
Species:
Lespedeza cyrtobotrya
USDA Symbol:
LECY80

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Subshrub
Height:
200 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
pink, purple
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
yellow
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire or cutting. Often used in erosion control on disturbed sites.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Scarification improves germination rates significantly. Seeds may also benefit from hot water treatment.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI