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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Asclepias tuberosa
Monarda didyma
Verbena canadensis

Golden St. John's wort Hypericum frondosum

Other Common Name(s):

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

Cedar glade St. John's-wort is a semi-evergreens to evergreen perennial shrub in the Hypericaceae family native to the central and southeastern United States. It is found in dry, rocky habitats of cedar glades, rocky woodlands and in dry, disturbed areas. It is found in the Piedmont and mountains of NC.

Cedar glade St. John's-wort is a smal shrub that grows 2-4 feet tall and wide with a rounded, dense form. It prefers rich sandy loams in full sun to partial shade but is adaptable to other soils if well-drained. Prune in spring as blooms appear on new wood. It is drought-tolerant once established 

The foliage may appear slightly bluish-green and is evergreen in its southern range. The showy yellow flowers are bright yellow with numerous stamens in June through July, providing color during the summer months. The bark is reddish-brown and exfoliating.

Use Cedar glade St. John's-wort as a short hedge or in shrub borders, as a foundation plant or in small groups. Attractive to pollinators for pollinator and native gardens.

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

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:    Wilt and root rot can be significant problems, particularly in hot and humid climates of the South. Susceptible to nematodes, which can cause root rot. Leaf spot, mildew and rust are less threatening.

See this plant in the following landscape :
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sunburst'
    Slightly larger flowers on a 3 foot plant
'Sunburst'
Tags:
#yellow flowers#small shrub#mounding#pollinator plant#native garden#native perennial#NC native#NC Native Pollinator Plant#native shrub#summer flowers#fantz#dense growth#collier preserve tn#wildflower#HS303#drought tolerant#evergreen shrub#hedge#pollinator friendly#pollinator garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sunburst'
    Slightly larger flowers on a 3 foot plant
'Sunburst'
Tags:
#yellow flowers#small shrub#mounding#pollinator plant#native garden#native perennial#NC native#NC Native Pollinator Plant#native shrub#summer flowers#fantz#dense growth#collier preserve tn#wildflower#HS303#drought tolerant#evergreen shrub#hedge#pollinator friendly#pollinator garden
  • 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
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    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:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    A two- to five-celled oval capsule with black to brown seeds. Can persist into winter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Dome
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellow five-petaled flowers with many stamens that mostly grow solitary in the leaf axils or on terminal branches, occasionally in a group.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    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 Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Linear to oblanceolate blue-green leaves are up to 3 inches long. Opposite or whorled leaves are decussate, simple, entire and sessile or with a short petiole.
  • 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 ridges on newer growth, smooth and rounded on older growth.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought