Texas Flowery Senna (Senna corymbosa): The Buttercup Bush

Texas flowery senna, also called flowering senna, flowery senna, tree senna, Argentina senna, or buttercup bush, is a vibrant, evergreen shrub native to South America. Its botanical name, Senna corymbosa (syn. Cassia corymbosa), places it in the Caesalpiniaceae family. The plant is prized for its profuse, bright yellow flowers that resemble buttercups.

Floral Display

From late spring through fall, the shrub is covered in clusters of five-petaled, golden-yellow flowers with prominent stamens. The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The foliage is pinnately compound, with pairs of oval leaflets that are glossy green. The plant grows 6-12 feet tall and wide, forming a dense, rounded mound.

Taxonomy

Growing Tips

This senna thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and handles heat and humidity well. In colder climates, it may die back to the ground but resprout from the base. Prune after flowering to maintain shape. It makes a colorful hedge, specimen, or container plant.

With its long blooming season and low maintenance, Texas flowery senna is a sunshine-filled addition to any garden.