Re: Lezpedeza thunbergii (should be Lespedeza)

Richard, 

It's an extremely attractive 'sub-shrub' growing to between 3 - 5ft
high with slender, almost willowy branches, often bowed down under the
weight of its flowers in mid/late summer.  I've grown this in a
variety of situations and although it seems tolerant of light, medium
and heavy soils, it is certainly happiest on a humus enriched, sandy
soil in full sun.  On very alkaline soils (ph8 and above), Lespeza can
occasionally suffer from chlorosis, but this is easily countered with
a sequestered iron compound watered in during spring.  Cold tolerance
is not really an issue with this species - it withstood minus 20C for
several weeks, were day time highs never rose above minus 10C.,
during the particularly bitter winter in 1981/2.  Later that summer, a
group of 7 plants flowered with phenomenal freedom - far better than
in previous years.

Sow the seeds now in a standard seed compost, keep moist and
germination should take place within 4 weeks.  No special heat is
required, so long as ambient temperatures are around 15 - 17C.
Transplant into small pots of sandy loam as soon as the seedlings are
large enough to handle.  Pot on as necessary and plant out into their
final positions either during late summer/early fall (in Zones 8b and
above) or after frosts have passed next spring.  You are unlikely to
see much in the way of flower this year, but should see a reasonable
show of rose-purple, pea-like flowers next year and masses in
following years.  Quite often, this species will act almost like an
herbaceous perennial - dying back to the root-stock in winter,
especially if temperatures fall much below minus 5C.  Subsequent
regeneration during mid-late spring is very rapid indeed.

HTH

Dave Poole
TORQUAY  UK
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