St. John's Wort Hypericum calycinum

Aaron's Beard, or St. John's Wort, is a flowering deciduous herbaceous shrub or small tree, excellent for use on extreme slopes or sandy soils. It is one of about 400 species in the Hypericum genus that includes herbs, shrubs and trees, all with different bloom times and cultural requirements. Arron's Beard, like many in this family, spreads by underground stems and has moderate drought tolerance. It has 2 to 4 inch ovate or oblong, acute leaves and large 5-petaled, 5-sepaled yellow flowers with numerous, erect stamens that give a powder-puff appearance. It blooms in summer and, with its spreading habit, is often used as groundcover. The plant can grow in the heavy shade of trees and in dry shade and is vigorous to the point where it can swamp out small plants. To maximize its use as a ground cover, you can cut it to ground level in the spring. It can be considered an evergreen in warm winter climates, but usually dies to the ground in cold winters. However, it blooms on new growth and comes back each spring.

Aaron's Beard prefers fertile, loamy well-drained acidic soil, but it is easily grown in any well-drained but moisture retentive soil including dry soils and heavy clay. It will grow in sun or shade, but flowers best in a sunny position. It tolerates cold and drought once established and is ornamental but rapidly spreading by means of stolons.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests. Rust can sometimes be a problem.