Species Kalm's St. John's wort
Alt text: Ames Kalm's St. John's Wort (Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames') featuring green leaves and clusters of vibrant yellow flower with red center

Kalm's St. John's wort

Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames'

Kalm's St. John's Wort (Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames') is an evergreen, aromatic shrub native to North America. Known for their attractive pink-tinted yellow flowers and lacy foliage, these easy-to-care-for plants are perfect for brightening up gardens or walkways. Growing up to two to three feet tall, their multi-stemmed shrubs bloom from late spring through early summer. These drought-tolerant and deer-resistant plants flourish in full sun or partial shade and well-draining soils. The foliage can be harvested for use as a natural dye or herbal remedy. It’s a perfect addition to any space!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation,Stem Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Kalm's St. John's wort (Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames') should be watered moderately when the top couple of inches of soil feel dry. In the summer months, it should be watered regularly - every 3 to 4 days should suffice. In the spring and fall months, water every 5 to 10 days, or every week in colder climates. Keep in mind that Kalm's St. John's wort does not like to be overly wet; it should never be left in standing water, or the roots may rot. Additionally, take care to water the base of the plant, rather than from above, to avoid wetting the foliage.

sunlight

Kalm's St. John's wort (Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames') is a plant species that requires 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to thrive. For optimal growth, it should be planted in a sunny location, preferably in the morning so as to give the plant the maximum amount of light. If planted in a shadier spot, it may have fewer flowers and possibly lack in vigor. The plant prefers cooler temperatures, so it’s best to avoid areas where the daytime temperatures remain above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The sunlight requirements for this species vary depending on where it is growing, with more light needed in cooler climates and less in warmer areas. In addition to daily sunlight, Kalm's St. John's wort prefers good air circulation and well-drained soil.

pruning

Kalm's St John's wort (Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames') should be pruned back moderately in spring. Prune out any dead or damaged stems, as well as any stems that are spindly or overcrowded. Do not prune more than 1-third of the total stem length. To maintain the plant’s shape and encourage flowering, tips of branches can be selectively pruned just after flowering ends. If the plant tends to become leggy in some areas, prune back heavily in mid-summer to encourage more compact growth.

Season

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

Kalm's St. John's wort typically starts flowering in June.

Hardiness Map