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St. John's Wort Hypericum x inodorum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
hy-PEER-ih-kum in-oh-DOR-um
Description

St. John's Wort is a fertile hybrid, a match between H. androsaemum and H. hircinum. The result is a deciduous, semi-evergreen shrub that grows to 3 to 5 feet high. The hybrid is noted for its beautiful foliage, showy flowers and decorative berries. The yellow flowers differ from H. androsaemum in having petals conspicuously longer than the sepals and styles and from H. hircinum by having sepals that are persistent into the fruiting stage. A number of × inodorum cultivars have been produced which primarily differ from each other in plant habit and fruit color.

Plant it in moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade, though it will tolerate deep shade. It does not like wet feet so do not over water. It will self-seed in the landscape but it is not aggressive. It tolerates most soil types. Plants develop extensive root systems and will benefit from a thick root mulch in cold winter climates. 

The genus name comes from the Greek words hyper meaning above and eikon meaning picture in reference to the practice of hanging flowers from this genus above images, pictures or windows. The hybrid name comes from the Latin word inodorus meaning "unscented" or "lacking fragrance".

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Allgrandeur Miracle Grandeur'
  • 'Elstead'
    Four feet tall and five feet wide. Berries that emerge white, become pink, then bright red.
  • 'Hypearl Compact Red'
  • 'Mystical Beauty'
'Allgrandeur Miracle Grandeur', 'Elstead', 'Hypearl Compact Red', 'Mystical Beauty'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#showy fruits#self-seeding#border middle#heavy shade tolerant#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Allgrandeur Miracle Grandeur'
  • 'Elstead'
    Four feet tall and five feet wide. Berries that emerge white, become pink, then bright red.
  • 'Hypearl Compact Red'
  • 'Mystical Beauty'
'Allgrandeur Miracle Grandeur', 'Elstead', 'Hypearl Compact Red', 'Mystical Beauty'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#showy fruits#self-seeding#border middle#heavy shade tolerant#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hypericum
    Species:
    Hypericum
    Family:
    Hypericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South West and South Central Europe
    Distribution:
    Parts of South America, Great Britain, Ireland
    Wildlife Value:
    Food source for wildlife.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Pink
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Flowers are followed by showy coral pink fleshy, berry-like fruits.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    One-inch buttercup-yellow flowers in branched clusters bloom mid to late summer (July-September).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Stalkless, ovate, opposite leaves (to 2 inches long) are aromatic when crushed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heavy Shade