- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 2 - 3 Feet
- Mature Spread 2 - 3 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 8
Yakushima bush clover has small intensely colored purple flowers that bloom late in the summer and early fall. This member of the legume family is widely grown to reclaim areas for native wildlife browsing and foraging. The shrub is also a nitrogen fixer that can sequester nitrogen from the atmosphere and store it in small nodules attached to the roots. Yakushima is considered a more well-behaved and compact cultivar to use in the home garden.
The bluish-green leaves and deep purple flowers give bush clover a dainty appearance, but this is one tough shrub. Use it to control erosion on sloping sites or naturalize a far corner of your yard. It provides wildlife with foragable foliage and shelter during all months of the year. Its vigorous growth will quickly cover any deer or rabbit damage. Birds will be attracted to the copious amounts of seed produced late in the fall. In colder climates, Yakushima bush clover may bloom earlier in the summer so that the plant has plenty of time to form seed before it goes dormant for the winter.
Yakushima Bush Clover Care
Bush clover thrives in poor soils. The root system adapts easily to heavy, stoney, and sandy soils. Fertilizing is not recommended and will encourage weak growth. Water newly planted shrubs at the time of planting and every 10 - 14 days to establish a deep root system. This shrub is extremely low maintenance and trouble-free, attracting virtually no pests or diseases.
Yakushima bush clover blooms on the current year’s growth. To promote widespread blooming, pruning can be done early in the spring. This is also a good time to shape the plant and remove any damaged growth from the winter. This shrub responds well to hard pruning, which can be performed at the end of the spring, after any nesting birds or other wildlife have moved on for the season.
Yakushima Bush Clover Spacing
The compact size of Yakushima bush clover works well in mass plantings to fill in naturalized areas of your yard. The mature height and spread average 2-3 feet. Plant multiple shrubs 24-30 inches apart to create a dense planting.
Yakushima Bush Clover Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
Plant Type: Bushes |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 2 - 3 Feet |
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
Habit: Mounded, Spreading |
Flower Color(s): Purple |
Flower Description: Violet-Purple Flowers |
Bloom Period: Summer to Fall |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Dense Rounded Mound |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Butterflies |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Edging, Groundcovers |
Features: Attracts Pollinators |
Brand: |
Common Name: Yakushima Bush Clover |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: Lespedeza bicolor Yakushima |
- SKU:
- 1231003139-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.