Lespedeza thunbergii subsp. formosa, commonly known as Thunberg’s Bushclover, is a deciduous shrub native to open woodlands and sunny grasslands of East Asia, including China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. It typically grows to a height and width of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters), with arching stems that create a fountain-like form. The foliage is composed of trifoliate leaves that add a fine texture to the garden. From late summer to fall, it produces abundant racemes of pea-like flowers that are pink and purple, offering a long-lasting floral display that is particularly showy. The flowers are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Thunberg’s Bushclover is valued for its late-season blooms and its ability to adapt to a range of soil conditions. It is often used in borders, as a specimen plant, or for naturalizing in informal areas of the garden. This shrub is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate various soil types, provided they have good drainage. Thunberg’s Bushclover can be cut back in late winter to early spring to promote vigorous growth and better flowering. It is generally pest and disease-free but can spread aggressively in some areas, so gardeners should monitor its growth to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0