Unusual Fall Blooming Shrubs

Bush Clover (Lespedeza thunbergii) This graceful shrub has a lovely weeping habit with violet purple, pink or white flowers that appear in late summer. In my upstate New York property I planted one along the top of a retaining wall where it cascaded over the edge. Breathtaking! The photo of this bush clover was taken in one of the 32 different courtyard gardens at Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve in Medford, NJ. Bush clover ‘Gilbralter’ and ‘Pink Fountains’ both get 4’ – 5’. There is a tiny version, ‘Yakushima’ that only grows about 12” – 18”. In colder climates (Zones 4 and 5), bush clover dies back to the ground in the winter, similar to butterfly bush. If pruning is required in warmer zones, do so in late winter or early spring. Bush clover is attractive to many pollinators but deer tend to ignore it. It does best in sun to part sun and is hardy in Zones 4 – 9.

Beautyberry (Callicarpa) Here is another jewel of a shrub for sensational fall color, but this time it’s the showy jewel-like berries that are the main attraction. Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ is a popular choice. It has rich violet-purple berries and grows between 6’ and 10’ tall in Zones 5-8. The pale pink flowers appear in summer. Callicarpa americana is native to North America. Hardy in Zones 6 – 10, its lilac flowers open in spring followed by iridescent-purple fruit in the fall. ‘Purple Pearls’ is a cross between Callicarpa dichotema and kwantungensis. This Proven Winners shrub features lovely purple-tinged leaves with pink spring blooms that become vivid purple berries. All beautyberries have a pleasing arching habit and prefer full to part sun. Birds are attracted to the berries.