Common Name:

General Information

Lespedeza maximowiczii is an erect, much-branched, deciduous shrub growing up to 3.5 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - eastern China, southern Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Rocky places along rivers[]. Mountain slopes and forests; at elevations up to 1,000 metres in Anhui, Henan and Zhejiang Provinces, China[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Lespedeza maximowiczii is a very cold-hardy plant, the rootstock being able to tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c when fully dormant. The top growth is much less hardy, however, and will be killed back to near the roots in all but very mild winters. However, plants will generally resprout freely from the base in the following spring and then flower in late summer[]. A long growing season is required if the seed is to ripen successfully, and a hot summer will more fully ripen the wood, thus making it more likely to survive the winter[].
Species in this genus generally grow best in a sunny position but are tolerant of some shade. They grow well in soils of a medium to light nature, tolerating dry conditions and low fertility[]. Established plants are generally more or less drought tolerant[].
Closely related to Lespedeza buergeri[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The twigs are used in making brooms[].

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in individual pots in a frame. It can be difficult to get the cuttings through their first winter, it is best to plunge the pots in a bed of ashes in a sheltered border outdoors[].