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Bushy St. John's Wort Hypericum densiflorum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Hypericum glomeratum
Phonetic Spelling
hy-PER-ih-kum den-si-FLOR-um
Description

Bushy St. John's Wort is a native shrub of the Hypericaceae family growing up to 7 feet tall and 6 feet wide. It is native to eastern USA and west to Texas and occurs on acidic soils in moist and wet conditions, including streams, ponds, lake banks, seepage slopes, and wet meadows. In NC it can be found in the coastal, Piedmont (rarely) and mountain regions. The clusters of yellow flowers occur in summer and the leaves are 2-3 inch lance-shaped and green.

This shrub blooms on new growth and can be pruned in the early spring. Easily grown in average well-drained moist garden soil in full sun to partial shade. 

Plant in groups, shrub borders, foundations or as a hedge. Works great in a native/pollinator garden or on slopes or rock gardens or rain gardens. It is very adaptable. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#yellow flowers#native perennial#slopes#stream banks#pond margins#NC native#summer flowers#butterfly friendly#boggy sites#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#yellow flowers#native perennial#slopes#stream banks#pond margins#NC native#summer flowers#butterfly friendly#boggy sites#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hypericum
    Species:
    densiflorum
    Family:
    Hypericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern U.S.A.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Cone-shaped seed capsules split to release seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers yellow with 5 petals and multiple stamens giving them a frilly look in dense flat-topped cymes in June to Sept.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green, lance-shaped leaves are 2-3" long
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Bark Description:
    Smooth bronze bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Erosion