Species wild senna

wild senna

Senna marilandica

Wild Senna (Senna Mariandica) is an attractive native perennial wildflower. Its yellow, pea-like blooms appear in mid-summer and attract butterflies and other pollinators. The shrub-like plants can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 m) and have pinnate leaves and woody branches. Wild Senna thrives in full sun to part shade, and grows in moist soils. Its seeds, which can be used as bird feed, appear in the late summer and remain on the plant until spring when they are dispersed. Its uses are numerous, and include as an attractive border plant in gardens, a soil stabilizer and a source of food for wildlife.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Wild senna should be watered once a week. The best way to water is to soak the soil with 1 inch of water; this should be done at the root base, not overhead. During periods of extreme heat or drought, water more frequently; every 3-4 days is ideal. During even the hottest days, try to avoid overhead watering. In order to avoid overwatering, wait until the top inch of soil has dried before watering again.

sunlight

Wild senna (Senna marilandica) grows best when provided with full sun, or at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. While they can tolerate some shade, this species of plant will not reach its full potential if not provided with adequate sunlight. The intensity of the sunlight is also important; in high-altitude areas, full sunlight may not be strong enough to support full growth of these plants. Additionally, the sunlight should be provided in the warmer months of the year; wild senna performs poorly in cold climates and can be damaged by frost or extended periods of low temperatures.

pruning

Wild senna (Senna marilandica) should be pruned in the late winter or early spring before any new growth appears. Pruning should be minimal, with only dead, diseased or damaged stems removed. Cutting back healthy stems should only be done if necessary to maintain the desired shape or size of the plant. It is also important to never prune more than 1-third of the foliage at any 1 time to avoid stressing the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Senna marilandica typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Wild senna typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Wild senna typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Senna marilandica typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map