Creeping Bush-clover
Lespedeza repens
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Creeping Bush-clover (Lespedeza repens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–48" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 18 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Creeping lespedeza is a low-growing, trailing native legume that forms dense mats of small compound leaves. It produces clusters of tiny pink to purple flowers from summer into early fall, followed by small seed pods. This drought-tolerant groundcover thrives in poor soils and helps prevent erosion on slopes.
In an HOA neighborhood
Creeping Bush-clover takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Spreading vine habit looks uncontrolled
- Can appear weedy and unkempt
- May be confused with invasive vines
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during its long blooming period. As a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil and provides habitat for beneficial insects.
Common questions
- How much sun does Creeping Bush-clover need?
- Creeping Bush-clover grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Creeping Bush-clover bloom?
- Creeping Bush-clover blooms in July, August, and September.
- Where is Creeping Bush-clover native?
- Creeping Bush-clover (Lespedeza repens) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 18 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Creeping Bush-clover attract?
- Creeping Bush-clover draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Creeping Bush-clover HOA-friendly?
- Creeping Bush-clover takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Creeping Bush-clover? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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