Bush Clover: The Showy Droughttolerant Shrub That Will Bloom All Summer

Introduction

Bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii) is a beautiful and versatile shrub that is perfect for adding color and interest to your garden. It is native to Asia and North America, and it is known for its showy pink or purple flowers that bloom all summer long. Bush clover is also a very drought-tolerant plant, making it a great choice for gardens in hot, dry climates.

In this blog post, we will discuss the following:

• The different varieties of bush clover
• The care and planting requirements for bush clover
• The benefits of planting bush clover in your garden
• How to propagate bush clover

Varieties of Bush Clover

There are many different varieties of bush clover available, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• Gibraltar: This variety has bright pink flowers and grows up to 4 feet tall.
• Little Volcano: This variety has smaller, more compact growth and deep pink flowers.
• Samidare: This variety has deep purple flowers and grows up to 6 feet tall.
• Apricot: This variety has apricot-colored flowers and grows up to 3 feet tall.

Care and Planting Requirements

Bush clover is a relatively easy plant to care for. It prefers full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. Bush clover is also drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from regular watering during the summer months.

Bush clover is best planted in the spring or fall. When planting, choose a well-drained soil. Bush clover is not fussy about soil pH, but it will do best in slightly acidic soil.

Benefits of Planting Bush Clover

There are many benefits to planting bush clover in your garden. Bush clover is a beautiful and versatile plant that can add color and interest to any landscape. It is also a very drought-tolerant plant, making it a great choice for gardens in hot, dry climates.

In addition, bush clover is a beneficial plant for pollinators. The flowers of bush clover attract a variety of bees, butterflies, and other insects. This makes bush clover a great choice for gardens that are designed to attract pollinators.

Propagating Bush Clover

Bush clover can be propagated by seed or by cuttings. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds in the spring in a well-drained soil. The seeds will germinate in about 2 weeks.

To propagate by cuttings, take 4-6 inch cuttings from healthy, mature stems in the spring or fall. Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and plant them in a well-drained potting mix. The cuttings will root in about 4-6 weeks.

Conclusion

Bush clover is a beautiful and versatile shrub that is perfect for adding color and interest to your garden. It is also a very drought-tolerant plant, making it a great choice for gardens in hot, dry climates. If you are looking for a low-maintenance plant that will attract pollinators, then bush clover is a great option for your garden.

To learn more about bush clover, visit Garden Wiki.

FAQ of bush clover

• What is bush clover?

Bush clover is a type of flowering plant that is native to North America. It is a member of the legume family, and its scientific name is Lespedeza capitata. Bush clover is a perennial plant, which means that it lives for more than two years. It typically grows to be about 2-3 feet tall, and it has small, white or pink flowers. Bush clover is a popular garden plant, and it is also used as a forage crop for livestock.

• What are the benefits of bush clover?

Bush clover has a number of benefits, including:

* It is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that it can help to improve the soil quality.
* It is a drought-tolerant plant, which makes it a good choice for dry climates.
* It is a deer-resistant plant, which means that it is less likely to be eaten by deer.
* It is a pollinator-friendly plant, which means that it attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

• How to care for bush clover?

Bush clover is a relatively easy plant to care for. It prefers full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. It is drought-tolerant, but it will do better if it is watered regularly during the summer months. Bush clover does not require a lot of fertilizer, but you can fertilize it lightly in the spring and fall.

• How to propagate bush clover?

Bush clover can be propagated by seed, division, or cuttings. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds in the spring in a well-drained soil. To propagate by division, divide a mature bush clover plant in the spring or fall. To propagate by cuttings, take 4-6 inch cuttings from a healthy plant in the spring or summer.

• What are the common problems with bush clover?

The most common problems with bush clover are:

* Leaf spot: Leaf spot is a fungal disease that can cause brown or black spots on the leaves.
* Aphids: Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects that can damage bush clover plants.
* Whiteflies: Whiteflies are small, flying insects that can also damage bush clover plants.

• How to control pests and diseases on bush clover?

To control pests and diseases on bush clover, you can:

* Water the plants regularly to help prevent the spread of diseases.
* Inspect the plants regularly for signs of pests or diseases.
* Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control aphids and whiteflies.
* Apply a fungicide to control leaf spot.

Image of bush clover

10 different images of bush clover that are free to use:

1. Bush clover in full bloom. This image shows a bush clover plant in full bloom, with its delicate pink flowers.
2. Close-up of bush clover flowers. This image is a close-up of the flowers of a bush clover plant, showing the individual petals and stamens.
3. Bush clover in a vase. This image shows a bush clover plant in a vase, with its flowers arranged in a beautiful display.
4. Bush clover in a meadow. This image shows a bush clover plant growing in a meadow, with its flowers swaying in the breeze.
5. Bush clover in a forest. This image shows a bush clover plant growing in a forest, with its flowers providing a splash of color against the green leaves.
6. Bush clover in a pot. This image shows a bush clover plant in a pot, making it a perfect choice for indoor gardening.
7. Bush clover leaves. This image shows the leaves of a bush clover plant, which are a deep green color.
8. Bush clover seed pods. This image shows the seed pods of a bush clover plant, which are brown and cylindrical in shape.
9. Bush clover in black and white. This image shows a bush clover plant in black and white, which provides a striking contrast to the delicate pink flowers.
10. Bush clover silhouette. This image shows a bush clover plant in silhouette, against a backdrop of sunset.