Lespedeza capitata (Roundhead Bush Clover)

• Scientific Name: Lespedeza capitata
• Common Name: Roundhead Lespedeza, Bush Clover
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Water: Low to medium water needs; drought-tolerant once established
• Soil: Prefers well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils; tolerates poor and dry conditions
• Height: 2-4 feet
• Bloom Time: Mid-summer to early fall
• Lifespan: Perennial
• Growth Habit: Upright, clumping wildflower

Additional Information: Roundhead Lespedeza is a tall, drought-tolerant native wildflower recognized for its dense, rounded clusters of cream-colored flowers with purple markings that bloom in late summer. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, it helps improve soil health and is commonly found in prairies, open fields, and dry grasslands, and it also serves as a host plant for a variety of butterflies and moths! The plant's stiff, upright stems persist into winter, providing structure and habitat for wildlife. It is an important late-season nectar source for pollinators, while its seeds offer food for birds and small mammals. With its deep root system, resilience, and ecological benefits, Roundhead Lespedeza is a valuable addition to pollinator gardens, and conservation plantings.