Shrubby St Johns Wort
Hypericum prolificum
General Information
Shrubby St John’s Wort is a slow-growing mounding, deciduous (or evergreen) shrub.
Shrubby St John’s Wort is very adaptable and can be found in grasslands, uncultivated fields, open woods, dry wooded slopes, sandy soils, rocky ground, and even on gravel bars along streams and in low, moist valleys and bogs. Shrubby St John’s Wort prefers moist soils but tolerates dry soils.
Shrubby St John’s Wort has very bright, yellow showy flowers that bloom on the current season's growth. It’s primary bloom is in June and July with sporadic flowering from then until October.
Ingesting Shrubby St John’s Wort can reduce the effectiveness of some prescription medicines.
Plant Information
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Sun Preference:
Full Sun * Part Sun
Soil Moisture Preference:
Medium-Wet * Medium * Medium-Dry
Plant Height:
3 to 4 feet
Plant Width:
3 to 4 feet
Plant Spacing:
3 to 4 feet
Flower Color:
Yellow
Flower timing:
June to July
Culture Information:
Shrubby St John’s Wort works best in Meadows, Naturalized Areas, Woodlands and also in Butterfly Gardens, Native Garden, Pollinator Gardens. It can be grown as a hedge and is useful for stabilizing embankments.
When first planted, Shrubby St John’s Wort should be watered weekly for first few months, unless at least an inch of rain has been received in the last week to help it get established. After it becomes established, Shrubby St John’s Wort only needs watering during severe drought, as it tolerates dry soil.
Shrubby St John’s Wort has rhizomatous roots, and therefore can slowly spread. It’s spread can be controlled by root pruning. As Shrubby St John’s Wort blooms on the current year’s growth, it can be pruned in early spring before grown starts or anytime after flowering has finished.
Tolerates:
Heat
Drought
Erosion
Clay Soil
Black Walnut
Soil compaction
Pests & Disease:
Shrubby St John’s Wort typically has no serious insect problems.
Shrubby St John’s Wort doesn’t usually have serious disease problems. It is susceptible to root rot and wilt in hot and humid climates.
Shrubby St John’s Wort is somewhat toxic. Skin contact with sap or ingestion of the plant can cause photosensitivity in some people. Common side-effects are gastointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions, and fatigue.
Wildlife Use:
Shrubby St John’s Wort is a high-value pollinator plant.
Pollinators: Shrubby St John’s Wort is a bee magnet.
Birds: Birds are attracted to the fruits.
Mammals: N/A.
Other: N/A.
Native to:
More Information:
NC State Plant Database:
Missouri Botanical Garden:
TN-KY Plant Atlas
Other Link: