Hypericum tenuifolium
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hypericum galioides var. reductum
- Hypericum reductum
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-PER-ih-kum
- Description
-
Atlantic St. John's Wort is a small shrub in the St. John's wort family (Hypericaceae) and is native to the Southeastern United States from North Carolina south to Florida. Its habitat includes dry, open, sandy areas such as pine flatwoods, pine savannas, sand hills and coastal swales. The epithet tenuifolium is from the Latin tenuis, or “thin,” and folius, or “leaf.”
Atlantic St. John's-wort is a small, spreading mounding shrub growing 1 to 2 feet tall and up to 2 feet wide. It prefers full sun for best blooming and moist sandy soils, but will tolerate most well-drained soil types and partial shade. It is somewhat drought-tolerant once established and mildly tolerant of salty air.
The small, showy yellow flowers have 5 petals and a prominent center of stamens. They appear during summer and attract many pollinators. In warm winter areas, they will bloom into winter. The small leaves are needle-like and evergreen.
Use Atlantic St. John's Wort in borders of pollinator gardens, along pathways, ponds, and streams. Plant away from pets as they are mildly toxic to them.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hypericum
- Species:
- tenuifolium
- Family:
- Hypericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- North Carolina south to Florida and west to Alabama.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees and other pollinators.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A 3-celled capsule, sometimes fleshy. Displays from summer into winter.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Yellow flowers are usually leas than an inch across, appear solitary or in clusters. They have 5 petals, 5 sepals and showy yellow-orange stamens in the center. Blooms from June to September.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Small linear leaves are around 1/2 inch long, opposite and sessile on the stem. Evergreen in warmer winter areas.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Reddish-brown stems have 2 to 4 ridges on newer growth and become smooth and rounded on older growth.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
