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Hypericum spp. St. John's Wort

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

Introduction

This low growing plant can be used on dry sites. The main ornamental trait is the three-inch yellow flowers that contrast with the dark green foliage. The plant can grow a foot tall and can spread 1 ½ feet. There may be some top kill in winter in cold climate.

Full Form - Hypericum spp.: St. John's wort.
Figure 1. Full Form - Hypericum spp.: St. John's wort.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

 

Flower - Hypericum spp.: St. John's Wort
Figure 2. Flower - Hypericum spp.: St. John's wort.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

General Information

Scientific name: Hypericum spp.

Pronunciation: hye-PAIR-rick-um species

Common name(s): St. John's wort

Family: Clusiaceae

Plant type: ground cover

USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 10A (Figure 3)

Planting month for zone 7: year-round

Planting month for zone 8: year-round

Planting month for zone 9: year-round

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year-round

Origin: native to Florida

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Uses: foundation; border; mass planting; edging

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Figure 3. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Credit:

Description

Height: 1 to 4 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Plant habit: spreading

Plant density: moderate

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: oblanceolate

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no fall color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: yellow

Flower characteristic: summer flowering

Fruit

Fruit shape: irregular

Fruit length: less than 0.5 inch

Fruit cover: dry or hard

Fruit color: brown

Fruit characteristic: showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not particularly showy; typically, multitrunked or clumping stems

Current year stem/twig color: brown

Current year stem/twig thickness: very thick

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun

Soil tolerances: sand; occasionally wet; acidic; slightly alkaline; loam; clay

Drought tolerance: moderate

Soil salt tolerances: poor

Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable

Winter interest: no special winter interest

Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests