Slender Bush Clover (Lespedeza virginica)
Slender Bush Clover is quite the showy plant! The pretty purple flowers are visited by a variety of native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). It is also a host plant to some beauties, including the Eastern-Tailed Blue and the Grey Hairstreak (Natural History Museum Hosts Database). The seeds are enjoyed by some upland game birds. This is a tasty treat for many herbivores, so protect these babies until they can become established.
Photo credit: (1)Fritz Reynolds, (2-3) John Blair
Slender Bush Clover is quite the showy plant! The pretty purple flowers are visited by a variety of native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). It is also a host plant to some beauties, including the Eastern-Tailed Blue and the Grey Hairstreak (Natural History Museum Hosts Database). The seeds are enjoyed by some upland game birds. This is a tasty treat for many herbivores, so protect these babies until they can become established.
Photo credit: (1)Fritz Reynolds, (2-3) John Blair
Slender Bush Clover is quite the showy plant! The pretty purple flowers are visited by a variety of native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). It is also a host plant to some beauties, including the Eastern-Tailed Blue and the Grey Hairstreak (Natural History Museum Hosts Database). The seeds are enjoyed by some upland game birds. This is a tasty treat for many herbivores, so protect these babies until they can become established.
Photo credit: (1)Fritz Reynolds, (2-3) John Blair
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Partial sun
Soil Moisture: Medium, Medium-Dry
Height: 2 feet
Plant Spacing: 1-2 feet
Bloom Time: July-September
Bloom Color: Purple
Advantages: Pollinator Favorite
Host Plant: Eastern-Tailed Blue, Silver-Spotted Skipper, Grey Hairstreak, and other skippers, and possibly 5 (Natural History Museum Hosts Database)
