Lespedeza capitata, commonly known as Round-Headed Bush Clover, is a deep-rooted, upright native perennial legume known for its clover-like foliage and rounded spikes of creamy white flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. Growing 3 to 5 feet tall, this prairie plant thrives in full sun and dry to average soils, making it a great fit for meadows, pollinator gardens, and restoration projects. As a nitrogen-fixer, it enriches the soil, supports pollinators like bees and butterflies, and provides seeds for birds—especially quail and other ground feeders.

Why choose Round-Headed Bush Clover:

• Pollinator support: Late-season blooms provide nectar for bees and butterflies

• Soil improvement: As a legume, it naturally fixes nitrogen and improves soil health

• Wildlife value: Seeds feed birds, and its structure offers habitat

Cultivating tips:

• Sun exposure: Requires full sun for best flowering and vigor

• Soil needs: Tolerates poor, dry, or sandy soils; avoid overly rich or wet conditions

• Maintenance: Very low; cut back in late winter or early spring

Designs for your garden:

• Meadow plantings: Perfect for prairie-style gardens and wildflower mixes

• Pollinator gardens: Offers valuable nectar when many other flowers have faded

• Restoration projects: Excellent for native habitat reestablishment and erosion control

Ecological benefits:

• Native species: Supports pollinators and seed-eating birds

• Soil enrichment: Improves soil through nitrogen fixation

• Drought-tolerant: Thrives in low-input, sustainable garden designs