Senna marilandica (Maryland Senna)

Senna marilandica (Maryland Senna) is an erect, herbaceous perennial boasting a handsome foliage of compound, medium to blue-green leaves adorned with 6-12 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 3-4 weeks. They feature 5 spreading greenish-yellow sepals, 10 stamens with chocolate-brown anthers, and a conspicuous pistil with a style that curls upward at its tip. The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees, which collect pollen from the flowers. They are followed by dark brown, drooping seedpods, 4 in. long (10 cm), that are a favorite of birds. The crushed foliage has an unpleasant scent. Maryland Senna has a fibrous and long rhizomatous root system which often forms vegetative colonies. Carefree and easy to grow, Senna marilandica is easy to cultivate in gardens. Tall, sturdy, and magnificent, it makes a lovely accent plant or backdrop for shorter perennials in native plant gardens.

• Grows up to 3-6 ft. tall (90-180 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in rich, medium moisture, sandy or clay, well-drained soils. Tolerates heat and humidity.
• Very useful and adaptable in the garden, this is a fine choice for mixed borders, cottage gardens, wild gardens, prairies and meadows, and naturalized areas.
• No serious pest or disease problems.
• Propagate by seed or division. Scarify and then pre-soak the seed for 2-3 hours in warm water before sowing it from early spring to early summer.
• Native to the midwestern and southeastern United States.