Green Feathery Cassia

Plant texture is one element that can create wonderful interest in the landscape. Texture involves many aspects that include plant form & shape, leaf type & color, as well as flower color, style & shape. Texture also involves planting techniques such as alternating heights or styles of plants. In essence then plant texture is an important attribute in most landscapes because this is what aides in creating the "architectural" element of the landscape.

That said I find one of the most striking and interesting architectural plants happens to be the Green Feathery Cassia, Senna nemophila. This is a plant that offers many desirable attributes in our harsh Inland Empire climate such as low water use, toughness, hardiness, great color, interesting seed pods and a light and airy texture. Cassia is evergreen and native to Australia. It produces masses of bright yellow pea shaped flowers. After flowering the plant produces somewhat elongated, dark brown, papery seedpods that stay on the plant. They can be removed by hand or by shearing.

Pruning after flowering helps to control the size of the plant which can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet without regular pruning. So keep this in mind when deciding to use Cassia and where it is placed in the landscape. Don't whack the plant too much either. This type of stress can be detrimental to the long term health of the plant.

Cassia is tough and hardy. It will take full and reflected sun with ease and yet stand up very well in the cold winters of the High Desert. It can take temps as low as 10 degrees. They can take just about any soil type but like many desert plants Cassia's prefer well drained soils. Cassia can survive well without regular water but do ultimately look much better and much healthier with regular water. It would be good to note at this time that it's best to err on the side of too little water as opposed to too much water. Over watering can cause Cassia to become chlorotic. This is where iron leaches out of the plant causing a loss in chlorophyll and a yellowing of the leaves. At the same time however Cassia doesn't require regular feedings. A once a year application of an all-purpose fertilizer should tide the plant over quite nicely.

Here is a plant that offers a wide range of interest, from texture and color to shape and style, as well as ease of care and maintenance. Feathery Cassia is well worth considering for your landscape and is certainly a must in any xeriscape landscape. It's tough and yet fairly easy to care for and maintain. It takes heat and cold and it doesn't need regular feeding or pruning. And best of all Feathery Cassia doesn't require much water to look it's best and will even