Lespedeza thunbergii 'Gibralter' - Gibralter bush lespedeza

About forty species of Lespedeza are native to Australia, Asia and North America. They may be herbs or small shrubs. A close look at the flowers shows clearly that they are a member of the bean family. The bush lespedeza is native to China and Japan where it is used as a cover crop and for firewood. This cultivar is an ornamental deciduous shrub with a heavy crop of pink-purple flowers in summer on arching branches. It grows to about six feet tall.