The showy yellow flowers on wild senna (Senna hebecarpa) develop and grow into dark brown seedpods that attract birds and add winter interest to the garden. A horizontal root system provides strength against winds, allowing the plant’s stately (4-6′) beauty to be appreciated even after the storm. Some gardeners use this sun-loving plant to form a hedge.
An exceptional plant for pollinator support, wild senna attracts a plethora of pollinators, such as bumblebees and butterflies, to its rich yellow blooms. Several small butterflies use Wild Senna as a larval host plant, including the cloudless sulphur butterfly (Phoebis sennae), orange-barred sulphur butterfly (Phoebis philea), and the silver spotter skipper (Epargyreus clarus).
Vital details:
Size: 4′ – 6′
Light: Full sun
Water: Average
Hardiness: 3-10
Pollinator value: Wild senna attracts a plethora of pollinators such as bumblebees to its rich yellow blooms. Several small butterflies use Wild Senna as a larval host plant, including the cloudless sulphur butterfly (Phoebis sennae), orange-barred sulphur butterfly (Phoebis philea), and the silver spotter skipper (Epargyreus clarus).
Notable features: larval host, native, yellow flower, attracts butterflies.
Plant name: Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa)