Little Buddy Lespedeza. A compact form of 'Gibraltar' which looks to get only 3-5' in height and has the same stunning show of purplish-pink flowers from late spring to fall. Great for erosion control, since it can fix atmospheric nitrogen for its own use, and it does well in poor soils as long as it has good drainage. One should prune it back in late winter to induce more succulent new growth, and since it flowers on current seasons growth, this will enhance flower production. All Lespedezas have dense root systems making them an excellent choice for soil erosion control on banks or slopes. One often sees this plant referred to as Lespedeza thunbergii, but the Missouri Botanical Garden, which is an excellent source of correct nomenclature, has it as Lespedeza bicolor. This species, even though native to China and Japan has naturalized in some parts of the Southeast. The first picture is courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Zones 6-10
