Scientific: Senna artemisioides subsp. x sturtii (formerly Cassia sturtii)
Common: none
Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Origin: Across southern Australia
Pronounciation: SIN-na ar-te-mi-see-OYE-deez STUR-tee-eye
Hardiness zones
Sunset 11-24
USDA 9-11
Landscape Use: Winter accent, informal hedge, background or screen planting, avoid use as formal hedge. Good for wayside plantings.
Form & Character: Open and rounded to globose, dry, Australian effect.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, woody, broadleaf perennial shrub, moderate growth rate to 8 feet with nearly equal spread, wood brittle; easily maintained at 4 to 6 feet in height.
Foliage/Texture: Green, pinnately compound leaves, 2 to 5 pairs of narrow leaflets per leaf; medium fine texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Yellow pea flowers, late winter to early spring on old wood, fruit are an green pod that turns an ugly brown during late spring and early summer. The ugly fruit are slightly less of an eyesore compared to the other Senna taxa because of the somewhat coarser and more visible foliage.
Seasonal Color: Yellow in spring, less spectacular than other cassias because of masking by slightly wider leaflets.
Temperature: Cold tolerant to 22oF.
Light: Full sun only, looks rangy in shade.
Soil: Like all Senna, this 'no common name' shrub MUST have a well-drained soil.
Watering: Deep infrequent supplemental water needed during summer months. No added water during the winter.
Pruning: Prune as necessary ONLY after flowering. This means moderately head back in late spring. This will not only remove the unsightly bean pods, but will also rejuvenate and control shrub height without disrupting its flowering effect.
Propagation: Seed, hot water soak or acid scarify.
Disease and Pests: Root rot in poorly drained soils.
Additional comments: Astute horticulturists will note the moderately large mature size of this shrub and place it in the landscape where it has room to grow - no small spaces please! Like other sennas, it is easily pot-bound in containers and as such can appear sparsely foliated in the nursery. Although many sennas are very large shrubs, this is one for moderate-sized spaces where 'vanilla' desert landscaping is desired.
