Shrub Lespedeza: Why This Pretty Plant Should Stay Out of Your Garden
If you’ve ever come across shrub lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor) with its delicate purple-pink flowers swaying in the late summer breeze, you might be tempted to add this perennial to your landscape. But before you do, there’s something important you need to know about this seemingly innocent plant.
The Beautiful Troublemaker
Shrub lespedeza might look charming with its small, pea-like flowers that bloom from late summer into fall, but don’t let its pretty face fool you. This non-native species has earned itself a spot on invasive species lists across multiple states, and for good reason.
Where It Came From and Where It’s Spread
Originally native to East Asia, shrub lespedeza has made itself quite at home across a huge swath of North America. You can find this plant growing wild (sometimes too wild) in states from Alabama to West Virginia, and from Texas all the way up to Ontario, Canada. It’s established populations in 29 states and one Canadian province, reproducing on its own without any human help.
The Invasive Reality Check
Here’s where things get serious. Shrub lespedeza has been classified as invasive in North Carolina and earned a Category 2 invasive status in Alabama. What does this mean for your garden? This plant doesn’t play well with others. It can quickly take over natural areas, crowding out native plants that local wildlife depends on.
Why You Should Think Twice
While shrub lespedeza does provide some wildlife benefits – offering 5-10% of large animals’ diets and 10-25% for terrestrial birds – these benefits come at a cost. The plant’s aggressive nature means it can:
- Outcompete native plants that provide better, more specialized habitat
- Alter local ecosystems
- Reduce biodiversity in natural areas
- Spread beyond your property boundaries
Growing Conditions (If You Must Know)
Shrub lespedeza is remarkably adaptable, which is part of what makes it so problematic. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 and tolerates:
- Poor soils
- Drought conditions
- Full sun to partial shade
- Various soil types
This adaptability means it can establish itself almost anywhere, making containment nearly impossible.
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
Instead of risking the ecological consequences of planting shrub lespedeza, consider these native alternatives that provide similar benefits without the invasive behavior:
- Native lespedeza species appropriate to your region
- Wild bergamot for late-season pollinator support
- Native asters for fall color and wildlife food
- Spicebush for wildlife habitat and attractive foliage
The Bottom Line
While shrub lespedeza might attract some pollinators and provide limited wildlife benefits, its invasive nature makes it a poor choice for responsible gardeners. The short-term beauty simply isn’t worth the long-term ecological damage it can cause to native plant communities.
If you’re looking to support wildlife and add late-season interest to your garden, stick with native alternatives that provide the same benefits without the environmental risks. Your local ecosystem – and future generations of gardeners – will thank you for making the responsible choice.
