Species St. John's wort
St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum) with dark green, lance-shaped leaves and showy yellow flower bearing purple stamens

St. John's wort

Hypericum calycinum

St. John's wort (Hypericum calycinum) is an attractive, perennial shrub with bright yellow blooms. This hardy plant prefers dry sandy soils and full sun exposure but can tolerate partial shade. It is native to woodlands and fields in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Europe, but is cultivated extensively. Its sunny yellow flowers attract a variety of bees and butterflies. It is an excellent choice for hot, sunny borders and for providing year-round colour and low-maintenance forms of habitat for wildlife. St. John's wort prefers a mild climate and well-drained soil, but it is tolerant to both drought and cold temperatures.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Bright yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

yellow,brown Fruits In Summer Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

St. John's wort requires regular watering during its active growing season. Water the plant deeply, giving it 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly. Water the soil rather than the foliage to help reduce the risk of powdery mildew. During periods of low rainfall, watering may need to be increased to maintain plant health. In the winter, reduce watering to once every few weeks, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid over-watering, as this can cause root rot and lead to stunted plant growth.

sunlight

St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum) thrives best in full sun, which means 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate some shade, the plant does best with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. If you can provide full sun, your St. John's Wort will produce more profusely and brightly colored blooms.

pruning

Pruning St. John's wort (Hypericum calycinum) should be done in mid to late spring before new growth appears. Prune by removing any faded or dead flowers, old stems and lateral branches. Be sure to leave 1-2 inches of branch bark for best results. Prune just enough to create a shapely, full and healthy looking plant. Excessive pruning can damage the shrub and inhibit flowering. St. John's wort propagates well from cuttings of the spring pruning.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

St. John's wort typically begins flowering in June.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Hypericum calycinum is in July and August.

Hardiness Map