Species great St. John's wort
Topas St. John's Wort (Hypericum pyramidatum) featuring green  leaves and clusters of bright yellow flowers

great St. John's wort

Hypericum pyramidatum

Great St. John's wort (Hypericum pyramidatum) is an intriguing and unique species of flowering plant. Its brilliant yellow flowers bloom in pyramidal clusters atop strongly upright stems. These blooms attract pollinators from late summer through autumn and provide a spectacular show. St. John's wort prefers rocky or sandy soils in open areas of full to partial sun. It is a low-maintenance perennial, requiring minimal care and attention. Its long-lasting blooms and clumping habit add interest to the landscape, making it a great ornamental addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Great St. John's wort prefers evenly moist soil, so it's important not to let the soil dry out completely. Water deeply but infrequently. Depending on the weather and stage of the plant's growth, it's recommended to water once every 1 to 2 weeks. When watering, saturate the soil deeply and then allow it to dry out slightly before watering again. During very warm weather, additional watering may be needed.

sunlight

Great St. John's wort (Hypericum pyramidatum) thrives best when it receives 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. It prefers sunny and slightly shaded sites that are not overly humid. The optimum time of day for sunlight depends on the location. In late spring and summer, when the sun is at its highest, from approximately 10am to 2pm, plants located in an area with northern exposure should receive full sun. In areas with slightly cooler temperatures, in contrast, the foliage may be able to withstand longer exposure to direct sunlight, from 8am to 4pm. In the late fall and winter months, when the sun is lower in the sky, great St. John's wort should receive 4-6 hours of sunlight. This can be provided from 9am to 3pm. Too little sunlight may cause the foliage to become suspended, while too much may cause burning of the foliage.

pruning

Great St. John's wort (Hypericum pyramidatum) should be pruned during the late winter or early spring if necessary. Pruning should be moderate, as this species tolerates very little pruning due to its low tolerance for stress. Dead and damaged branches should be removed and the remaining canes should be cut back to the main stems. This species should also be thinned out to help encourage healthy growth and maximize flowering potential.

Season

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

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

Hardiness Map