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Hypericum frondosum

Phonetic Spelling
hy-PER-ih-kum frond-OH-sum
Description

St. John's Wort is native to SE USA and in NC it is found in the western mountain areas. It is a small, dense shrub that grows 2-4 feet tall and wide with a rounded dense form. It inhabits glades and dry limestone ledges. The foliage may appear slightly bluish-green and is evergreen in its southern range. The showy yellow flowers are bright yellow with numerous stamens on new wood and appear in June-July.

This plant prefers rich sandy loams in full sun to partial shade but is adaptable to other soils if well-drained. Use as a hedge, foundations or in small groups. Attracts pollinators.

Family name Hypericaceae (Guttifereae)

Quick ID Hints:

  • Stems 2-4 ridged on newer growth
  • Leaves paired or whorled, sessile or short-stalked
  • 5-petaled yellow flowers with numerous stamens

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sunburst'
    Slightly larger flowers on a 3 foot plant
'Sunburst'
Tags:
#cultivars#small shrub#yellow flowers#native perennial#native shrub#mounding#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#pollinator plant#fantz#NC Native Pollinator Plant#dense growth#wildflower#collier preserve tn#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sunburst'
    Slightly larger flowers on a 3 foot plant
'Sunburst'
Tags:
#cultivars#small shrub#yellow flowers#native perennial#native shrub#mounding#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#pollinator plant#fantz#NC Native Pollinator Plant#dense growth#wildflower#collier preserve tn#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hypericum
    Species:
    frondosum
    Family:
    Hypericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South East U.S.A. to Texas
    Distribution:
    AL, CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MS, NC, NY, SC, TN, TX, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    A (2)3-5 celled oval capsule, sometimes fleshy.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Five-petaled with bushy, dense stamens. Solitary or cymose, terminal or axillary. Yellow (usually) 5-petaled (rarely 4), 5 sepals (rarely 4); stamens numerous, in bundles or in showy boss.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Linear to oblanceolate up to 3" long. Opposite or whorled, decussate, simple, entire; sessile or petiole short.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Reddish-brown exfoliating bark on mature shrubs
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Contain 2 to 4(up to 6) ridges on newer growth, smooth and rounded on older growth.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought