Maryland Senna

Maryland Senna – Senna marilandica

Maryland Senna is a bold, summer-blooming native perennial that brings structure, wildlife value, and nitrogen-fixing potential to ecological gardens and restoration plantings. Found in open woods, streambanks, and prairies of the eastern and central U.S., this tall, upright legume produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in mid to late summer, followed by long, dark seed pods. Its compound leaves and architectural form make it a standout in native meadows, food forests, and pollinator plantings.

As a larval host plant for several species of sulphur butterflies—including the Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)—Maryland Senna plays an important role in supporting native Lepidoptera. It’s also highly attractive to native bees and can serve as a light nitrogen-fixer, improving soil health over time in diverse plant communities.

Key Characteristics

• Ecological Benefits for Butterflies and Pollinators
  Maryland Senna is a host plant for sulphur butterfly caterpillars and attracts native bees, especially long-tongued species like bumble bees and digger bees. Its pollen-rich blooms appear when many other native plants have finished flowering, supporting summer foragers.

• Light Nitrogen Fixation for Soil Building
  As a member of the legume family, Senna marilandica contributes to soil fertility through a light nitrogen-fixing relationship with root-associated bacteria. It’s an excellent species for prairie restoration, silvopasture systems, and regenerating degraded soils.

• Tough and Adaptable to a Range of Conditions
  Maryland Senna thrives in medium to moist soils and tolerates seasonal flooding, drought, and clay. Once established, it’s a robust, low-maintenance perennial for wild gardens and permaculture systems.

• Tall Vertical Accent in Meadows and Food Forests
  With upright stems reaching 3–6 feet tall, Maryland Senna provides vertical structure and can be used effectively as a mid-story layer in native meadows, buffer strips, and the sunny edge of a food forest.

• Showy Yellow Blooms and Distinctive Seed Pods
  The cheerful yellow flowers bloom from July through August and give way to long, dark seed pods in fall—adding ornamental interest and wildlife food value. Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Product Details

• Native range: Eastern and central U.S.

• Plant life cycle: Perennial

• Sun requirements: Full sun to light shade

• Soil requirements: Medium to medium-wet; tolerant of clay and poor soils

• Mature height: 3–6 feet

• Bloom time: July–August

• Bloom color: Bright yellow

• USDA Hardiness zones: 4–9

Maryland Senna is a powerhouse native that supports butterflies, builds soil, and adds late-season color to wild gardens and restoration projects. A must-have for native plant enthusiasts, permaculturists, and pollinator advocates.