Lespedeza virginica, commonly known as Slender Bush Clover, is a native perennial legume found in dry prairies, open woods, savannas, and roadsides throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, sandy or rocky soils and full sun, making it ideal for drought-tolerant gardens and prairie restorations.
This upright, slender plant typically grows up to 2.5 feet tall and features narrow, trifoliate leaves with fine-textured foliage. From late summer into early fall, it produces small, pea-like flowers that range from pink to purplish-pink, often with darker markings. The blooms attract native bees and butterflies, while the plant’s seeds are a food source for birds such as quail and turkey.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Lespedeza virginica is a valuable and understated addition to native meadows, dry slopes, and pollinator plantings. As a legume, it enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen, benefiting nearby plants. It pairs well with other dry-site natives like Butterfly Weed, Little Bluestem, and Hoary Vervain, offering ecological function, resilience, and subtle late-season color.
Lespedeza virginica, commonly known as Slender Bush Clover, is a native perennial legume found in dry prairies, open woods, savannas, and roadsides throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, sandy or rocky soils and full sun, making it ideal for drought-tolerant gardens and prairie restorations.
This upright, slender plant typically grows up to 2.5 feet tall and features narrow, trifoliate leaves with fine-textured foliage. From late summer into early fall, it produces small, pea-like flowers that range from pink to purplish-pink, often with darker markings. The blooms attract native bees and butterflies, while the plant’s seeds are a food source for birds such as quail and turkey.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Lespedeza virginica is a valuable and understated addition to native meadows, dry slopes, and pollinator plantings. As a legume, it enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen, benefiting nearby plants. It pairs well with other dry-site natives like Butterfly Weed, Little Bluestem, and Hoary Vervain, offering ecological function, resilience, and subtle late-season color.
Bloom: late summer to early fall
Habitats: banks along lakes; bluffs; drier areas of black soil and sandy prairies; hill prairies; limestone glades; rocky upland forests and sandy forests; savannas and sandy savannas; scrubby barrens with poor soil
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: mesic to dry
Plant type (height): forb (up to 2.5 feet)
Requirements: full sun to partial sun
Soil: loamy; rocky; sandy
