Leaves are opposite, narrowly elliptical, abruptly narrowed toward base, to 2½ inches long, sessile, shiny, somewhat leathery.
Similar species: There are 14 species of Hypericum in Missouri. Their flowers have four or five yellow petals, four or five sepals, many stamens, and one pistil. Their leaves are opposite and simple, whole, and have small resin dots on them. Many are small shrubs, with twigs often angled or 2-winged. Fruits are capsules with numerous seeds. They are in between “woody” and “nonwoody” plants, and many of them are easily put into the “wildflower” category. This shows that putting plants into these categories isn’t really helpful. Size.
Scattered nearly statewide. Apparently absent from the northwestern third of the state and from portions of the Mississippi Lowlands.
It lives in dry or wet upland forests, along the edges of glades, on ledges, the tops and bottoms of bluffs, the banks and gravel bars of streams and rivers, and sometimes in bottomland forests. It also lives in fallow fields and old fields.
This shrub can grow in dry, rocky, or sandy soils and has pretty flowers. It can also be used as a native ornamental hedge. It is also used to stabilize embankments. Plants in this genus have a long history of medicinal use and were burned in bonfires on St. John’s Eve (June 23) to ward off evil spirits.
Many insects visit the flowers, which offer only pollen, and not nectar (note the many pollen-bearing stamens). The gray hairstreak butterfly larvae eat this plant, and many other insects also eat it. The plant’s toxic chemicals prevent mammals from eating it. Title Media Gallery .
The shrubby St. John’s wort (Hypericum prolificum) is a versatile and hardy native shrub that makes an excellent addition to gardens across much of the United States. This yellow-flowered beauty is not only lovely to look at, but provides food and habitat for pollinators while being unusually easy to grow. Here is an overview of this great native shrub and how to grow it successfully.
Description and Range
Shrubby St. John’s wort is a deciduous shrub in the St. John’s wort family (Hypericaceae) native to much of eastern and central North America. Its natural range stretches from Quebec to Florida and west to eastern Texas, Oklahoma and Minnesota.
This multi-stemmed shrub reaches an average height and width of 3-4 feet. It produces many upright cylindrical stems from the base. The stems and leaves have a blue-green or sage green color.
The foliage is opposite, simple and oval with smooth edges The leaves are about 1-3 inches long
Starting in early summer, shrubby St. John’s wort produces an abundance of bright golden yellow flowers at the tips of the stems. The five-petaled flowers are about 1 inch across and have prominent tufts of stamens protruding from the center. Flowering continues over a long season from early summer into fall.
The flowers give way to capsules containing many small brown seeds. The dried seed capsules persist on the stems into winter.
Growing Conditions
One of the best qualities of this native shrub is its adaptability to various growing conditions. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils including moist, dry, sandy, loamy and clay soils. It can even grow in poor soils and areas with erosion.
Shrubby St John’s wort is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 It can tolerate cold winters as low as -30 F once established,
This shrub requires little watering or fertilizing once planted. It is quite drought tolerant when mature. The extensive root system allows it to seek moisture and nutrients deep in the soil.
Landscape Uses
The adaptability, dense growth, prolific flowers and year-round interest make shrubby St. John’s wort a great addition to gardens and landscapes:
- Hedges, screens and foundation plantings
- Mixed native shrub borders
- Pollinator gardens
- Rain gardens and bioswales
- Areas with poor, dry soils
- Rock gardens
- Erosion control
The bright flowers contrast beautifully with the blue-green foliage. The bushy form provides excellent cover and nesting sites for birds. Songbirds eat the seeds and use the dense branches for shelter.
Pruning the shrub in early spring will promote a dense, mounded form. It can be sheared as a formal hedge. Otherwise, little maintenance is required once established.
Attracting Pollinators
A major benefit of growing this native shrub is the abundance of pollinators it attracts. The bright yellow flowers are magnets for all types of bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Some of the notable pollinator species attracted to shrubby St. John’s wort include:
- Honeybees
- Bumblebees
- Mining bees
- Cactus bees
- Sweat bees
- Butterflies such as skippers, sulfurs and hairstreaks
- Beneficial wasps and flies
- Hummingbird moths
You can place this shrub near vegetable and flower gardens to draw pollinators. The long bloom time ensures food for pollinators over several months.
Wildlife Value
In addition to feeding pollinators, shrubby St. John’s wort provides food and shelter for birds and small mammals.
Birds eat the seeds and use the shrub for nesting and cover. Some of the bird species found using this plant include:
- Song sparrows
- Indigo buntings
- Cardinals
- Finches
- Juncos
- Quail
- Pheasant
- Grouse
Rabbits and deer tend to avoid browsing on this plant. It contains hypericin compounds that can irritate mammal digestive systems when consumed in quantity.
Growing Shrubby St. John’s Wort from Seed
Shrubby St. John’s wort can be started from seed either indoors or direct sown outdoors. The tiny seeds have a high germination rate with no pre-treatment needed.
Sow the small seeds on the soil surface and press in lightly in late fall or early spring. Keep moist until germination occurs in about 14-30 days. Transplant the seedlings when they are a few inches tall.
When starting indoors, use a seed starting mix and provide strong light. Transplant into the garden after all danger of frost.
Planting Bareroot or Potted Plants
For quicker results, plant bareroot or potted shrubby St. John’s wort plants. Bareroot shrubs are available in fall or early spring. Potted containers are best planted in spring.
Make sure the planting spot has well-draining soil. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root system. Set the plant at the same level it was growing in the pot/field. Backfill the hole and water well.
Space plants 3-4 feet apart for a dense hedge or shrub border. Water periodically until established, then nature will take its course.
Ongoing Care
Once established, the care for this tough shrub is minimal. Here are some tips to keep it looking its best:
- Water during drought periods for the first couple years
- Fertilize only if needed to boost growth
- Prune in early spring to shape and improve density
- Remove dead or damaged growth as needed
- Enjoy the flowers and wildlife activity!
An Excellent Addition to Any Landscape
With its hardiness, easy care, pollinator power and year-round beauty, shrubby St. John’s wort is one of the most useful and trouble-free native shrubs you can grow. Add some to your yard this season and enjoy the vibrant color and life this versatile plant provides.
St Johns Wort groundcover Hypericum calycinum – pollinator friendly flowering evergreen groundcover
FAQ
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