Senna, Argentine
Cassia corymbosa
1 Gallon | Hardiness Zones 8-11
September is a difficult month to write for. The garden is still technically in summer but the light has shifted — lower, more golden, arriving at an angle that changes everything it touches. Cassia corymbosa reads this shift and responds to it. While most summer shrubs are winding down, this one is just beginning, producing dense corymbs of deep golden-yellow flowers at the ends of its branches with an enthusiasm that seems almost contrarian given the season.
Native to the grasslands and gallery forests along the Río de la Plata in Argentina and Uruguay, it has been grown in warm-climate gardens long enough that its origins are often forgotten entirely. That's a shame, because the ecology of the Southern Cone — the windswept Pampas, the subtropical gallery forests pressing up against open grassland — explains a great deal about why this plant is the way it is: upright, fast-growing, sun-hungry, and adapted to the kind of dramatic seasonal shift that September in the garden approximates, at least in spirit.
The distinction from its close relative Cassia bicapsularis is worth understanding before you plant both, which you should. C. corymbosa blooms a full six weeks earlier — September rather than November — and is meaningfully more cold hardy, surviving zone 7 winters with adequate siting and reliably root-hardy through zone 8. Where bicapsularis closes the season, corymbosa bridges summer and autumn, its golden clusters appearing just as the first Salvia purples are deepening and the ornamental grasses are beginning to catch the light differently. Grown together, the two create a Cassia succession that carries warm-climate gardens from September through the first hard frost — which is, by most measures, an excellent arrangement.
The cylindrical seed pods that follow are architecturally satisfying in their own right, persisting on bare branches through winter. The butterflies find it reliably. The taxonomists, as with its sibling, continue to debate whether it belongs in Cassia or Senna. We remain diplomatically agnostic.
Pickup available at Aiken Nursery
Usually ready in 2-4 days
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Plant Specs
- Zones: 8 - 11
- Sun: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained and Fertile
- Height at Maturity: 6 - 10 Feet
- Spread at Maturity: 4 - 6 Feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
Deciduous
Flower/Foliage
Care Info
Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants:
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
The majority of our plants are carefully cultivated from rooted cuttings, while we also utilize propagation methods such as seed, air layering, and grafting, thoughtfully chosen to suit each plant’s unique needs.
Our plants are cultivated using sustainable practices, including organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management, ensuring they thrive while minimizing environmental impact.
We are proud to contribute to local biodiversity through ongoing donations to the Aiken Arboretum and support for local wildlife conservation efforts, helping to preserve and enhance our community’s natural ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.