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Senna hebecarpa (Wild Senna)

American Senna, Wild Senna, Cassia hebecarpa, Cassia hebecarpa var. longipila, Senna hebecarpa var. longipila

Senna hebecarpa, American Senna, Wild Senna, Cassia hebecarpa, Cassia hebecarpa var. longipila, Senna hebecarpa var. longipila

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.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Leguminosae
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 6'
(90cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Filipendula Rubra 'Venusta', Queen of the Prairie 'Venusta', Meadowsweet 'Venusta', Filipendula Magnifica, Filipendula Rubra 'Magnifica' Filipendula Rubra 'Venusta Magnifica', Spiraea Venusta 'Magnifica', Pink FlowersAGM Award
Eryngium Yuccifolium, Rattlesnake Master, Button Snakeroot, Rattlesnake's Master, Button Eryngo, Dry soils plants, Blue flowers, silver perennials
Monarda fistulosa, Wild Bergamot, American Wild Bergamot, Wild Bee Balm, Lavender Monarda, Lavender Bee Balm, Lavender flowers
Echinacea Purpurea, Eastern Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Brauneria purpurea, Echinacea purpurea var. arkansana, Rudbeckia purpurea, Pink Coneflower, Pink Echinacea
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Leguminosae
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 6'
(90cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now

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