Wild Senna
Wild Senna blooms with a profusion of buttery yellow flower clusters atop lush green foliage in midsummer. An exceptional plant for pollinator support, the rich yellow blooms attract diverse and plentiful pollinators. The ripened seedpods which appear in autumn are a favorite of birds…
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
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Soil Moisture | Medium, Moist, Wet |
Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 4' - 6' |
Bloom Color | Yellow |
Bloom Time | July, Aug |
Spacing | 2' |
Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
Root Type | Fibrous |
Benefits | Birds, Pollinators, Host Plant |
Seeds per Oz | 1400 |
Propagation | Moist Stratification, Rhizobium, Scarification |
Days to Moist Stratify | 10 days |
Direct Sowing | Spring, Early Summer, Fall |
Wild Senna blooms with a profusion of buttery yellow flower clusters atop lush green foliage in midsummer. An exceptional plant for pollinator support, the rich yellow blooms attract diverse and plentiful pollinators. The ripened seedpods which appear in autumn are a favorite of birds such as bobwhite and wild turkey. The striking dark brown pods add contrast in the winter garden, as well. A strong horizontal root system provides stabilization against high winds, making this tall sun-loving plant an excellent hedge choice. As is common in the pea family (fabaceae) the compound leaves create a highly textured foliage.
Native to the moist glades and open riverbanks in the eastern U.S., Wild Senna prefers full sun or light shade. Plants in full sun will have more flowering. It thrives in clay, in medium to moist soils, and tolerates periodic flooding. Sandy soils are also tolerated. Plants in rich soil can grow up to 6 feet tall.
Several small butterflies use Wild Senna as a larval host plant, including the Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Orange barred sulpher (Phoebis philea), and the Silver Spotter Skipper (Epargyreus clarus).