When does Lespedeza hirta bloom?

Lespedeza hirta typically flowers from July into September, producing small cream colored blossoms with a purple throat mark along upright stems.

What growing conditions suit Lespedeza hirta best?

This forb does best in full sun to part sun on well drained soils and tolerates low water once established, making it suited to dry meadows, open woodland edges, and disturbed sandy ground.

What pollinators visit Lespedeza hirta?

Bees and butterflies commonly visit the flowers of Lespedeza hirta for nectar during its summer bloom period.

Does Lespedeza hirta stay green year round?

No, it is a deciduous perennial forb that dies back to the ground each year and regrows from its root crown in spring.

Is Hairy Bush-clover toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Hairy Bush-clover as toxic to livestock.

Is Hairy Bush-clover HOA-friendly?

Hairy 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.

Hairy Bush-clover

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lespedeza hirta

Last reviewed: September 2026

Lespedeza hirta is a upright forb that blooms from July through September with small cream and purple flowers. It thrives in full sun on dry, low-water sites such as open woods, roadsides, and sandy fields.

Toxicity unknown

Hairy Bush-clover (Lespedeza hirta) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Hairy Bush-clover as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, FL and 23 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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Hairy bush-clover is a native perennial that forms compact, upright clumps with small oval leaves and clusters of tiny pink to purple pea-like flowers. It blooms from July through September, providing late-season color when many other plants are fading. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in poor soils and full sun conditions.

Growing Hairy Bush-clover

Grow Hairy Bush-clover in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hairy 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.

Has a wild, weedy appearance that resembles common clover
Growth habit is loose and informal rather than neat
May be mistaken for an unwanted weed by neighbors

Wildlife value

Host plant for gray hairstreak.

The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the important late summer blooming period. Seeds provide food for birds and small mammals in fall and winter.

Common questions

When does Lespedeza hirta bloom?: Lespedeza hirta typically flowers from July into September, producing small cream colored blossoms with a purple throat mark along upright stems.
What growing conditions suit Lespedeza hirta best?: This forb does best in full sun to part sun on well drained soils and tolerates low water once established, making it suited to dry meadows, open woodland edges, and disturbed sandy ground.
What pollinators visit Lespedeza hirta?: Bees and butterflies commonly visit the flowers of Lespedeza hirta for nectar during its summer bloom period.
Does Lespedeza hirta stay green year round?: No, it is a deciduous perennial forb that dies back to the ground each year and regrows from its root crown in spring.
Is Hairy Bush-clover toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Hairy Bush-clover as toxic to livestock.
Is Hairy Bush-clover HOA-friendly?: Hairy 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.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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