Saint Johnswort Hypericum tenuifolium
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hypericum galioides var. reductum
- Hypericum reductum
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-PER-ih-kum
- Description
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Atlantic St. John's Wort or Sandhill St. John's-wort is one of more than 400 species of perennial, flowering shrubs in the St. John's wort family, Hypericaceae. Atlantic St. John's Wort is native to the Southeastern United States and often found in found in wet to moist habitats in from North Carolina south to Florida. Its habitat includes dry, open, sandy areas such as pine flat woods, pine savannas, and sand hills. Atlantic St. John's-wort is a small, spreading shrub growing 4–20 inches tall and forming mats. This plant is slightly salt tolerant.
It requires a moist well-drained site in sun to partial shade although it tolerates most soil types, including dry soil, and full sun will maximize blooms. It can be used as a ground cover or in groupings near water features.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A (2)3-5 celled capsule, sometimes fleshy. Displays from July to October.
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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:
- Solitary or cymose, terminal or axillary. Yellow (usually) 5-petaled (rarely 4), 5 sepals (rarely 4); stamens numerous, in bundles or in showy boss. Blooms from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, very narrow leaves; 2-edged stem. Opposite or whorled, decussate, entire; sessile or petiole short.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Contain 2 to 4(up to 6) ridges on newer growth, smooth and rounded on older growth.
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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
- Salt
