Senna phyllodinea - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Description

Silvery cases is a medium to large evergreen mounding shrub with a flexible branching habit, 4-6 ft. high, 5-8 ft. across. Distinctive flattened foliage is comprised of 2-3 in. long silver-gray phyllodes; showy yellow flowers occur from mid-winter into spring.

This species comes from dry inland plains of Australia where it grows in rocky soils and tolerates heat and drought. It is hardy to 20F and well adapted to hot and dry conditions throughout the Inland Empire in sunny aspects. It provides year around foliage accent value in southwestern and Mediterranean style gardens, and intensive display of flowers following winter rains.

Water Needs

Silvery cassia is well adapted to hot and sunny locations on well drained soils and with low amounts of supplemental water during summer. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water. Established plants grow well on monthly deep water from July to October.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Low Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 2

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"

Range of supplemental summer water: 7"-14"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"

0"-2"

1"-2"

0"-2"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Shrub
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Mounding
Growth Rate: Fast
Height: 3 ft. - 5 ft.
Width: 4 ft. - 6 ft.
Water Needs: Low 2
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Season: Winter, Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Rocky soil
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Frost, Drought, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Wildlife value, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Parks and open space, Grouped, Foundations, Flowering accent plant, Commercial spaces, Borders, Banks, Background plant, Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies

Maintenance

Cut back as necessary to encourage more compact form (5). This can easily be accomplished by light pruning after winter and spring flowering (5). If flowers are left to develop seed pods, seeds may germinate and grow. Although it is not considered an invasive plant, because of this tendency, it is best not to plant this plant if your landscape is near a wild area (S).

References