Species St. John's wort
St. John's Wort (Hypericum 'Hidcote') featuring small, dark green leaves and vibrant yellow flower

St. John's wort

Hypericum 'Hidcote'

St. John’s wort (Hypericum 'Hidcote') is a perennial flowering shrub native to Europe and North America. It grows up to 2 feet in height and features oblong, glossy, green leaves and clusters of star-shaped yellow flowers. Its flowers attract many pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. During the summer it produces black or red fruits that are edible and can be used to make herbal tea. St. John’s wort prefers semi-shady to full sun areas and requires water or rainfall regularly. It is a well-known herb with medicinal properties, used to treat mild depression, anxiety, and skin infections.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Golden yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Water St. John's wort (Hypericum 'Hidcote') once per week when the soil feels dry to the touch, making sure the soil is evenly moist. To do this, use a trowel or fingertips and press into the soil lightly. Water thoroughly, applying enough so that water begins to run out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Allow the excess water to drain out completely before returning the plant to its spot. Reduce watering during the winter months, giving just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.

sunlight

St John's Wort (Hypericum 'Hidcote') is an evergreen perennial that grows best in full sun to light shade. It requires at least 6 hours of sunlight each day while it is actively growing. The best time for this species to receive sunlight is during the late morning and afternoon hours when the sun is less intense. Direct midday sunlight can cause the foliage to burn, so the plant should be sheltered from the midday sun. When temperatures are hot, St John's Wort should be shaded from the intense afternoon sun. In winter or cooler climates, St John's Wort can tolerate full sun with less risk of damage to the foliage.

pruning

St. John’s wort (Hypericum 'Hidcote') should be pruned in early spring before new growth appears. Dead or damaged branches should be pruned away first, and then the plant’s growth should be shaped by pinching out any growing tips that would otherwise become too leggy. If heavy pruning is desired, this should be ceonpleted in mid-summer after blooming has ended. St. John's wort should not be pruned more than about ⅓ of its total growth. Doing so will result in a weakened, sparsely foliaged plant.

Season

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

Hypericum 'Hidcote' typically starts flowering in June.

Hardiness Map