Wand Lespedeza: A Non-Native Perennial with Pros and Cons for Your Garden
If you’ve stumbled across the name wand lespedeza (Lespedeza virgata) in your gardening research, you might be wondering whether this lesser-known perennial deserves a spot in your landscape. This non-native plant has some interesting characteristics that make it worth understanding, even if it might not be your first choice for supporting local wildlife.
What Exactly Is Wand Lespedeza?
Wand lespedeza is a perennial forb – basically a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. Originally from Asia, this plant has established itself in parts of the southeastern United States, particularly in Florida and North Carolina. It’s what botanists call an introduced species, meaning it arrived here through human activity and now reproduces on its own in the wild.
The plant grows to about 2 feet tall with a somewhat irregular, multi-stemmed growth habit. Don’t expect it to win any beauty contests – its purple flowers aren’t particularly showy, and its fine-textured, dark green foliage has a rather understated presence in the landscape.
The Good, The Bad, and The Practical
Let’s be honest about what wand lespedeza brings to the table:
The Positives:
- Low maintenance once established
- Fixes nitrogen in the soil (thanks to its legume family heritage)
- Tolerates various soil types from clay to sand
- Moderate drought tolerance
- Produces abundant seeds for natural spreading
- Handles acidic soils (pH 5.0-6.9)
The Drawbacks:
- Slow growth rate means patience is required
- Not particularly attractive or garden-worthy
- Limited commercial availability
- Doesn’t support native wildlife as effectively as native alternatives
- Requires full sun and won’t tolerate shade
Growing Conditions and Care
If you do decide to grow wand lespedeza, here’s what it needs to thrive:
Climate: This plant is suited for USDA hardiness zones 7-9, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°F. It needs at least 120 frost-free days and prefers areas with 30-65 inches of annual precipitation.
Soil: Remarkably adaptable! Wand lespedeza handles coarse, medium, and fine-textured soils equally well. It prefers slightly acidic conditions and has low fertility requirements – perfect for those challenging spots where other plants struggle.
Sun and Water: Full sun is non-negotiable. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance and actually prefers low moisture conditions, making it potentially useful for xeriscaping.
Planting and Propagation
Growing wand lespedeza from seed is your best bet, as it’s rarely available commercially. The plant produces abundant seeds from fall through winter, with about 76,000 seeds per pound. Seeds don’t require cold stratification, but seedlings show only medium vigor, so be patient with germination and early growth.
Plant seeds in late spring after the last frost, barely covering them with soil. The slow growth rate means you won’t see dramatic results the first year, but established plants have moderate longevity.
Should You Plant Wand Lespedeza?
Here’s the bottom line: while wand lespedeza isn’t inherently problematic, it’s not particularly exciting either. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance ground cover for challenging conditions and don’t mind its modest appearance, it might work for naturalized areas or erosion control.
However, if your goal is supporting local ecosystems and native wildlife, consider these native alternatives instead:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) for pollinator support
- Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) for nitrogen fixation and bird food
- Native lespedeza species like slender bush clover (Lespedeza virginica)
Remember, every plant choice is an opportunity to support local wildlife or invite non-native species into your landscape. While wand lespedeza won’t cause ecological havoc, choosing native plants whenever possible helps create habitat for the birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects that make gardens truly come alive.
