Bush clovers
Bush clovers are native to Asia and North America and are well known for their ability to thrive in poor soils and contribute to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation bush clovers typically grow as shrubs or subshrubs ranging in height from one to ten feet depending on the species and environmental conditions the plants have slender arching stems with trifoliate leaves composed of three small leaflets that resemble those of clover which is how they received their common name the flowers are usually small but produced in abundance forming clusters along the stems and blooming in shades of pink purple violet or sometimes white during late summer to early autumn.
The blossoms are pea-like in shape a characteristic feature of the legume family and attract bees butterflies and other pollinators contributing to ecological diversity after flowering bush clovers produce small flat pods that contain seeds which serve as food for birds and small mammals bush clovers are highly valued for their adaptability they can grow in a variety of habitats including grasslands open woodlands roadsides and disturbed soils they are drought-tolerant once established and require minimal maintenance making them useful in erosion control land reclamation and as cover crops in agriculture because of their nitrogen-fixing ability they improve soil quality and support the growth of other plants in.
The ecosystem in Japan species such as Lespedeza thunbergii hold cultural significance and are celebrated as one of the "Seven Flowers of Autumn" admired in poetry art and seasonal traditions bush clovers also have uses in traditional medicine where they have been applied for treating inflammation fever and other ailments although scientific research on their medicinal properties is limited in landscaping bush clovers are prized for their graceful arching growth habit and late-season blooms that bring vibrant color to gardens when many other plants have already finished flowering they are often planted in borders naturalized areas or as ornamental shrubs in public parks and gardens.
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