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Gibraltar Bush Clover

Lespedeza thunbergii 'Gibraltar'

  • Late-Season Bloomer with 2-Foot Cascades of Rosy-Purple Flowers for Fall Color
  • Thrives in Zones 5-8
  • Showy Purple, Pink Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
  • Excellent Mass Planting in Butterfly Gardens
  • Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Regular price $5829
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Plant Size

Specifications

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics Cold hardy, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Attracts pollinators, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Low Maintenance
Hardiness Zone 5a to 8b
Sunlight Full sun
Height 4-6 ft
Width 4-8 ft
Watering Needs Low
Preferred Soil Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate Fast
Growth Habit Bushy
Blooms In Fall, Summer
Flower Color Purple, Pink
Foliage Color Green
Suitable Space Outdoors, Container
Botanical Name Lespedeza thunbergii 'Gibraltar'
Species thunbergii
Cultivar Gibraltar
Class Magnoliopsida, Fabidae
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, PR
Bush clover plantBushesCloverCompanyDiseaseDormancyGibraltarNurseryPlantProduct
A
Anonymous (United States)
When I put it in the ground it just exploded with growth

When I put it in the ground it just exploded with growth. It’s already doubled in size

Gibraltar Bush Clover has a way of surprising people once it gets its roots into good soil, so that kind of fast establishment is great to see. It tends to keep that momentum going through the season, so give it a little room as it fills out. Thanks for sharing the update, Nicole.

G
Gale (United States)
The Gibraltar bush clover plant I received was healthy and larger than expected

The Gibraltar bush clover plant I received was healthy and larger than expected. I received the plant undamaged and on time. It’s thriving and coming out of dormancy. Can’t wait for it to bloom later this summer. I will definitely order from this nursery in the future.

K
Kathleen (United States)
Customer Service

Customer Service - replaced 4 Gibraltor Clover bushes that arrived with a disease without argument and we received new healthy bushes promptly. Great to have a company that stands behind their product.

Hi Kathleen, Thank you for leaving a lovely review for our Gibraltar Bush Clover and our team! We are so glad to hear that our customer service was able to promptly take care of your issue. We take pride in standing behind our products and ensuring our customers receive healthy plants. Happy planting - Nature Hills Customer Support

R
RunRabbitRun
beautiful and healthy

The plant arrived well packed and it was easy to plant. It has grown very large in a quick amount of time and seems very happy and healthy. So far it is all green with small white buds at the tips. We look forward to seeing it develop over the Fall and Winter. So far it has not bloomed any pink blossoms yet. Hopefully soon or next summer. Thank you.

Hi RunRabbitRun,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Gibraltar Bush Clover! We're delighted to hear it arrived in great condition and is thriving so well already. It sounds like you’re doing an excellent job caring for it, and it’s lovely that the small white buds are starting to show.

Regarding the pink blossoms, it’s quite normal for them to take a little time—often well into late summer or next year for some bushes—to fully develop their colorful blooms. Make sure your Gibraltar Bush Clover gets plenty of sunlight (full sun is best) and consistent watering, especially during dry spells. Adding a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can also encourage vibrant blooms.

We’re excited for you to see it reach its full potential through the Fall and Winter seasons—those future pink blossoms will certainly be worth the wait!

If you ever need further tips on caring for your clover or any other plants, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

R
Run
beautiful and healthy

The plant arrived well packed and it was easy to plant. It has grown very large in a quick amount of time and seems very happy and healthy. So far it is all green with small white buds at the tips. We look forward to seeing it develop over the Fall and Winter. So far it has not bloomed any pink blossoms yet. Hopefully soon or next summer. Thank you.

Hello Run R.,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with your Gibraltar Bush Clover! We’re delighted to hear it arrived safely and that it has taken quickly to your garden, looking so healthy and bursting with green foliage. It sounds like your plant is thriving already with those small white buds—an excellent sign that it's adapting well to its new environment.

Regarding the pink blossoms, don’t worry—they typically appear after the plant fully establishes itself, often more noticeably in its second growing season or during peak bloom times next summer. In the meantime, ensuring your bush clover receives full sun and deep, infrequent watering can encourage vibrant blooms. If you want tips on fertilizing or seasonal care to assist its development, feel free to reach back out anytime!

We’re excited for you to watch your Gibraltar Bush Clover flourish through Fall and Winter. Thanks again for choosing NatureHills.com, and for sharing your journey with your lovely plant.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

s
sus960
The perfect late summer bush

I have grown these bushes for several years now and can't get enough of them (literally!) They cascade beautifully and the color is a welcome accent with all of the yellows of summer.

Hello sus960,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with Gibraltar Bush Clover! We’re delighted to hear how beautifully they cascade and add a lovely splash of color to your late summer garden. Their rich hues really do complement the summer yellows perfectly, making for a stunning display.

Since you’ve had several seasons to enjoy them, you might find periodic pruning right after flowering helps encourage a tidier shape and promotes more vibrant blossoms for the following years. Also, if you ever want to experiment, seed collection after blooms fade can be a rewarding way to propagate new plants.

We’re always excited to support fellow gardeners who appreciate the charm and resilience of these bushes. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want tips on companion planting or seasonal care.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

S
Sus960
The perfect late summer bush

I have grown these bushes for several years now and can't get enough of them (literally!) They cascade beautifully and the color is a welcome accent with all of the yellows of summer.

Dear Sus960,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Gibraltar Bush Clover! We’re delighted to hear how beautifully they cascade and add that perfect pop of color against the summer yellows. It truly is a fantastic late-summer performer, and it’s great to know you’ve enjoyed growing them year after year.

If you’re ever interested in enhancing your display even further, consider pairing these bushes with perennial plants that complement their rich hues or stagger bloom times for prolonged color in your garden. Also, regular pruning right after flowering can help maintain that lovely cascading shape throughout the season.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like tips on companion plants or seasonal care—they’re a pleasure to help with!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

H
Honeybee
elegant stunner

This is an elegant plant with bi-colored blossoms and a soft, graceful form. It's much loved by pollinators. This bush is packed with bees and butterflies.In a nutshell, this is a great bush to buy!

Hi Honeybee,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Gibraltar Bush Clover! We’re thrilled to hear that its elegant bi-colored blossoms and graceful form have brought both beauty and a buzz to your garden. Knowing that it's a favorite of pollinators like bees and butterflies makes it all the more special—there’s something truly rewarding about supporting local wildlife while enjoying such a charming plant.

If you ever want tips on encouraging even more pollinator visits, we’d be happy to share suggestions on companion planting or proper care techniques to keep your clover blooming gloriously through the seasons. Your “elegant stunner” sounds like a perfect centerpiece for a pollinator-friendly space!

Thank you again for your kind words and encouragement. Wishing you continued joy as your garden thrives!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

H
Honeybee
elegant stunner

This is an elegant plant with bi-colored blossoms and a soft, graceful form. It's much loved by pollinators. This bush is packed with bees and butterflies.In a nutshell, this is a great bush to buy!

Dear Honeybee,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely experience with the Gibraltar Bush Clover! We’re delighted to hear that its elegant bi-colored blossoms and graceful form have won your heart, and that it’s such a pollinator magnet in your garden. Bees and butterflies are wonderful signs of a healthy, thriving ecosystem, and it’s fantastic that your bush is supporting them so beautifully.

If you ever want to enhance your pollinator garden even more, adding companion plants like Coneflowers or Black-eyed Susans can extend bloom times and provide varied nectar sources. Also, keeping the bush gently pruned after flowering can encourage robust growth and prolific blooming in the seasons ahead.

We’re thrilled the Gibraltar Bush Clover is such a great addition to your garden and truly appreciate your kind words!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature height and spread of Gibraltar Bush Clover?

  • Gibraltar Bush Clover reaches 3-6 feet tall and spreads 4-8 feet wide at maturity. This fast-growing shrub has an arching, fountain-like growth habit that creates excellent ground coverage. Allow plenty of space for its natural spreading nature, especially when planting multiples for mass plantings.

Does Gibraltar Bush Clover grow well in my planting zone (e.g., zone 4, 5, or 8)?

  • Gibraltar Bush Clover thrives in USDA zones 4-8, handling both cold winters and hot summers with ease. This adaptable perennial tolerates diverse conditions once established. Check your specific zone and shop at Nature Hills for healthy, nursery-grown plants ready for your landscape.

How much sun does Gibraltar Bush Clover need to bloom properly?

  • Gibraltar Bush Clover blooms best in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering. It can tolerate partial sun but may produce fewer blooms. Plant in the sunniest spot available for the most spectacular late summer flower display.

How often should I water Gibraltar Bush Clover after planting?

  • Water Gibraltar Bush Clover regularly during its first growing season to help establish roots. Once established, this drought-tolerant shrub needs minimal watering. Water deeply but infrequently during extended dry periods, allowing soil to dry between waterings.

How and when do I prune Gibraltar Bush Clover to keep it compact?

  • Cut Gibraltar Bush Clover to the ground in early spring before new growth begins. This single annual pruning maintains its compact, fountain-like shape while encouraging vigorous blooms. Shop Gibraltar Bush Clover at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance beauty.

What are the care requirements for Gibraltar Bush Clover in the first few years?

  • Gibraltar Bush Clover needs minimal care once planted. Water regularly the first year until established, then it becomes drought tolerant. Simply cut the entire plant to ground level in early spring before new growth begins.

When does Gibraltar Bush Clover bloom, and what color are the flowers?

  • Gibraltar Bush Clover blooms from late summer through fall with showy purple and rosy-pink sweet pea-shaped flowers. The delicate racemes create long panicles that cascade like a waterfall along the arching branches. Plan this shrub for late-season color when most other plants are finishing up.

Is Gibraltar Bush Clover winter hardy, and how does it handle cold winters?

  • Gibraltar Bush Clover is a hardy deciduous perennial that handles cold winters well. The plant's vase-shaped form creates beautiful winter interest when covered with frost and snow. Leave the stems standing through winter for decorative appeal, then cut to the ground in early spring.

Are there any common pests or problems with Gibraltar Bush Clover?

  • Gibraltar Bush Clover is notably disease and pest-resistant, making it one of the most trouble-free shrubs you can grow. Its hardy nature means you'll rarely encounter significant issues. Simply ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering to prevent any potential root problems.