Senna hebecarpa (Wild Senna)

Noted for its multi-seasonal interest, Senna hebecarpa (Wild Senna) is a large, long-lived, herbaceous perennial boasting a handsome foliage of compound, medium to dark green leaves adorned with 10-20 leaflets. They provide an excellent backdrop for the large clusters of beautiful bright yellow flowers in mid to late summer. Borne atop a stout central stem and in the leaf axils, they bloom for up to 4 weeks. They feature 5 pale yellow sepals and petals, 10 stamens with black anthers and a conspicuous pistil with long white hairs. The blossoms attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They are followed by chocolate brown seedpods that are a favorite of birds, especially larger birds like wild turkeys. The foliage turns yellow in the fall and the black seed pods persist into the winter, extending the season of interest of this plant. Wild Senna has a horizontal root system which often forms vegetative colonies. It also self-seeds readily, especially in disturbed areas. Care-free and easy to grow, Senna hebecarpa is popular for meadow plantings and in native landscape gardens. Tall, sturdy and magnificent, it also makes a fine perennial hedge.

• Grows up to 3-6 ft. tall (90-180 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in rich, neutral, moist, well-drained soils. While it likes moist to wet rich soil, it does well in rocky or sandy soil too.
• Very useful and adaptable in the garden, this is an excellent choice for mixed borders, cottage gardens, wild gardens, prairies and meadows and naturalized areas.
• No serious insect or disease problems. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by seed or division in early spring or fall.
• Wild senna is widely distributed in the eastern U.S. from Ontario, Canada south to Georgia.