Senna 'Cassia' Bush

Senna bicapsularis, also known as “Cassia” or “Butterfly Bush”, is a semi-evergreen upright shrub or small specimen tree. Its origins hail from South America, specifically Panama, to Venezuela, to Colombia, to the Caribbean. While other shrubs and trees are dormant in the fall and winter, Cassia is showing off with bright yellow flowers that appear when not much else is in bloom. It is easiest planted in a shrub border, or along a fence or wall, as the tree form may fall over and will require staking. It is well worth the effort to stake a specimen tree since the tree is simply stunning in flower.

 

 

Sold Individually
Available in 3 Gal, 7 Gal

This plant requires full sun (6+ hours) for optimal growth and blocking. In our hot Charleston climate, it will take light shade in the afternoon during the warm season. 

When first planting, give this plant a deep soak up to three times per week. Once established, this plant is fairly drought tolerant and will need supplemental watering during dry periods or extreme heat.

Cassia is known to recover if hit by a hard frost. When this occurs, the stems should be cut to the ground before spring. Sprouts will emerge from the roots in spring—if those new roots freeze, the plant will most likely not survive. Mulching around the roots helps keep the frost from killing the plants. 

 

 

Frequent pinching of the young shoot tips or pruning during the growing season up to the beginning of September encourages branching and increases the number of flowers.

 

 

The plant also has a scrambling (sprawling) habit. To keep that in check, trim it after the plant has finished blooming.

 

For these tasks, we recommend Modern Sprout Garden Pruner.