Images Depict Mature Plants
Gibraltar Bush Clover
Lespedeza thunbergii ‘Gibraltar’
Gibraltar Bush Clover is a plant for gardeners who have space and want a big payoff in late summer and fall. The arching stems covered in pink flowers are spectacular over a wall or down a slope, but this is not a small, tidy foundation shrub. Give it sun, drainage, and room to spread, then cut it back hard in late winter and let it rebuild into a flowering fountain.
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Share:Cascading Fall-Blooming Bush Clover for Slopes, Walls, and Sunny Borders
Gibraltar Bush Clover Delivers a Big Late-Season Flower Show
Gibraltar Bush Clover is a dramatic, fall-blooming shrub-like perennial grown for its long arching stems and masses of lavender-pink to rosy-purple flowers. Also known as Lespedeza thunbergii ‘Gibraltar’ or Gibraltar Pink Bush Clover, this plant brings color to the garden when many summer shrubs and perennials are beginning to fade.
The flower display is light, flowing, and full of movement. Pea-like blooms line the cascading stems in late summer and fall, creating a fountain-like effect that is especially beautiful over retaining walls, along slopes, on embankments, or at the back of large sunny perennial borders.
A Fountain-Shaped Plant with Cascading Pink Flowers
Gibraltar Bush Clover is not a tight, formal shrub. It grows with long, graceful, arching stems that can reach 4 to 6 feet tall and spread even wider in a single growing season. In the right location, the plant creates a soft, waterfall-like shape covered in pink to lavender-purple flowers.
Because of its size and habit, Gibraltar is best used where it has room to stretch. Plant it where the branches can spill naturally, such as above a wall, along a bank, near a driveway slope, or in a large cottage garden. It is not the right plant for tight foundation corners or narrow walkways.
Late Summer and Fall Color for Pollinator Gardens
Gibraltar Bush Clover blooms during an important seasonal window. Its late-summer-to-fall flowers help extend color in the landscape and provide nectar when many earlier-flowering plants are finished.
Butterflies and other pollinators are drawn to the pea-like flowers. Use Gibraltar with other late-season favorites such as Asters, Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, Ironweed, Russian Sage, Sedum, Rudbeckia, Ornamental Grasses, and Beautyberry for a garden that stays lively into fall.
Full Sun, Well-Drained Soil, and Drought Tolerance Once Established
Plant Gibraltar Bush Clover in full sun for the best bloom and strongest form. It can tolerate light part sun, but flowering and overall structure are best in a bright, sunny site.
Well-drained soil is important. Gibraltar performs well in average garden soil and can tolerate dry conditions once established, making it a useful option for slopes and sunny banks. Avoid heavy, soggy soil, especially in winter, because good drainage helps the plant return strongly each year.
A Cut-Back Shrub That Regrows Fast Each Season
In colder climates, Gibraltar Bush Clover often behaves like a cut-back shrub or large herbaceous perennial. The top growth may die back in winter, but the plant responds well to being cut back near the ground in late winter or early spring.
Once warm weather arrives, new shoots emerge and grow quickly into a large, arching mound. This regrowth habit makes pruning simple: give it a hard cutback before the new season starts, then let it build size and flower on the new growth later in the year.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | Commonly 4 to 6 feet tall |
| Mature Width: | 6 to 12 feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun preferred; tolerates light part sun |
| Soil | Average to rich, well-drained soil; adaptable but dislikes wet winter soil |
| Water | Water regularly during establishment; drought tolerant once established |
| Bloom Time / Color | Late summer to fall; lavender-pink to rosy-purple pea-like flowers |
| Ornamental Features | Cascading arching habit, late-season pink flowers, fountain-like form, fine-textured foliage, strong fall interest |
| Wildlife Value | Attracts butterflies and other pollinators |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant once established; deer resistance appears variable by source and local browsing pressure |
| Landscape Uses | Slopes, embankments, retaining walls, sunny banks, back of borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, large mixed perennial beds |
How to Care for Gibraltar Bush Clover
Before you buy a Gibraltar Bush Clover, read the recommended care instructions to keep this plant healthy and thriving.
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How should I plant Gibraltar Bush Clover?
Plant Gibraltar Bush Clover in full sun with well-drained soil. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep as the container. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil, backfill with loosened native soil, and water thoroughly after planting. Give this plant plenty of room. Space Gibraltar Bush Clover at least 6 feet from nearby plants, walls, walks, or structures unless you intentionally want the stems to cascade over an edge. It is excellent on slopes, embankments, sunny banks, and retaining walls where its arching habit can be used as a feature.
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How often should I water Gibraltar Bush Clover after planting?
Water Gibraltar Bush Clover deeply after planting, then keep the soil evenly moist while the roots establish. During the first growing season, water when the top few inches of soil become dry, especially during hot, windy, or droughty weather. Once established, Gibraltar Bush Clover is drought tolerant and usually needs less supplemental water. It performs best in well-drained soil that does not stay soggy. On slopes or banks, occasional deep watering during extended drought helps support the best flowering.
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When should I fertilize Gibraltar Bush Clover?
Fertilize Gibraltar Bush Clover lightly in early spring if needed. A thin layer of compost or a modest application of slow-release balanced fertilizer is usually enough for healthy growth. Avoid heavy fertilizing. Bush Clover is a legume and does not need rich, highly fertilized soil to perform well. Too much fertilizer can encourage excessive leafy growth on a plant that already grows large and fast.
When and how should I prune / cut back Gibraltar Bush Clover?
Cut Gibraltar Bush Clover back hard in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Many gardeners cut the stems close to the ground because the plant flowers on fresh growth and quickly rebuilds its size during the growing season. Do not worry if the top growth looks dead after winter in colder climates. This plant often behaves like a cut-back shrub. Once warm weather arrives, new shoots emerge from the crown and develop into arching stems that bloom later in the season.
