St. John's Wort 1 to 10 of 10 total
St. John's Wort 1 to 10 of 10 total
St. John's Wort
Uses:
- Wildlife Gardens
- Woodland Gardens
- Borders
Features:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrant Blooms
- Naturalizes
Sunlight:
- Full Sun
- 6+ Hours of Direct Sun
Growing Zones:
- 4-9
- What is My Zone?
St. John's Wort shrubs are prized for their cheerful yellow flowers and medicinal properties, often used in herbal remedies. These versatile shrubs thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil, making them ideal for planting in flower beds, borders, or as a naturalized addition to cottage gardens. Beyond their ornamental value, St. John's Wort shrubs attract pollinators and offer a pop of color.
About St. John's Wort
Genus
Species
Family
Hypericum
Hypericum perforatum, Hypericum inodorum, Hypericum frondosum, Hypericum patulum, Hypericum kalmianum
Hypericaceae
Common Names:
Hypericum, Goatweed, Klamath Weed, Tipton Weed
Native To:
Europe, parts of Asia and North Africa
Plant Type:
Bushes
Foliage Type:
Herbaceous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
4 - 8
Flower Color:
Yellow
Flower Bloom Time:
Summer
Growth Habit:
Mounded, Spreading, Upright (depending on species)
Attracts:
Bees, Butterflies
Tolerates:
Drought, Poor Soil, Full Sun, Light Shade
Resists:
Deer, Rabbits
How To Use St. John's Wort In The Garden
St. John's Wort is a hardy ornamental shrub suitable for zones 4-9. It produces clear yellow flowers in early summer, followed by red or orange berries that persist through winter. This plant thrives in hot, dry areas where others may struggle, making it ideal for covering hillsides, driveways, or sidewalks. It prefers full sun and poor soils; rich soils encourage dense foliage but reduce flower and berry production.
It can be used as a taller ground cover in challenging planting areas, providing erosion control on slopes. The shrub's dense growth habit and ornamental berries add visual interest to landscapes and attract wildlife. St. John's Wort is highly resilient and can be planted along roadways and salt-treated walkways without being stunted or killed by the potential salty runoff.
Types of St. John's Wort
| Type | Scientific Name | Native Range | Flowers | Habit / Form | USDA Zones | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common (Perforate) St. John's-wort | Hypericum perforatum | Europe, N. Africa, SW Asia | Bright yellow, ¾ in., 5-petalled, black-dotted margins | Erect, bushy perennial; spreads by rhizomes & seed | 4 – 8 |
- Aggressive in many regions - Historic medicinal herb |
| Hybrid Tutsan St. John's-wort | Hypericum × inodorum | Cross between H. androsaemum × | Butter-cup yellow, ~1 in., showy boss of stamens | Dense, clumping, semi-evergreen shrub | 6 – 9 |
- Showy coral-pink to red berries follow bloom - Shade-tolerant, adaptable to soils |
| Cedarglade / Sunburst St. John's-wort | Hypericum frondosum | SE U.S.A. (limestone glades, dry ledges) | Golden-yellow, 1 – 1.5 in. with many stamens | Dense, rounded shrub; upright-spreading | 5 – 8 |
- Very showy midsummer bloom - Drought-tolerant, deer resistant |
| Goldencup St. John's-wort | Hypericum patulum | W. China | Flat golden-yellow cups, 1 in.+ | Bushy, spreading shrub; can be semi-evergreen | 6 – 7 (to 8 in mild sites) |
- Late-season bloom; long bloom window - Tolerates clay, sand if drained |
| Kalm's St. John's-wort | Hypericum kalmianum | Great Lakes region, NE U.S. & Canada | Golden-yellow, 1.5 in.; clusters of 3 – 7 | Dense mound, upright branches | 4 – 7 |
- Most cold-hardy Hypericum - Showy seed capsules persist to spring - Endangered in parts of native range |
St. John's Wort Care
St. John's Wort thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. This shrub tolerates poor soils and doesn't require fertilization at planting; mulching with organic compost helps retain moisture and provides slow-release nutrients. During the first year, water infrequently but deeply to encourage deep root growth; once established, it becomes drought-tolerant and may not need supplemental watering, depending on local rainfall.
Prune St. John's Wort annually in early spring to maintain a compact form and promote blooming, as it flowers on new growth. Remove any damaged or diseased branches by cutting them back to the main stem. For neglected shrubs, cut the plant back to one-third of its size to restore dense foliage and flowering. In containers, St. John's Wort needs regular watering; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry, ensuring water drains from the bottom.
Learn More About St. John's Wort Care
St. John's Wort Companion Plants
Choose partners that thrive in unamended, fast‑draining soil, heat, and full sun—the same minimalist conditions St. John’s wort prefers. Purple sand cherry matches that resilience and offers smoky foliage for contrast, while Russian sage threads silvery stems and steady nectar through the planting long after the shrub’s yellow bloom season ends. Later, black‑eyed Susan spreads drought‑tough daisies for pollinators, and little bluestem grass supplies upright blue‑green blades that echo the shrub’s berries and hold architectural interest into winter.
