Hypericum prolificum (Shrubby St. Johns Wort)

Hypericum prolificum (Shrubby St. John’s Wort) is an upright deciduous shrubby perennial of compact, rounded habit with showy, bright yellow flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), adorned with a prominent bouquet of yellow stamens. Blooming profusely from early to late summer, the blossoms are borne singly or in few-flowered clusters and cover the shrub. They give way to interesting cone-shaped dry pods which split in the fall and persist all winter.

Hypericum prolificum (Shrubby St. John's Wort) is an upright deciduous shrubby perennial of compact, rounded habit with showy, bright yellow flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), adorned with a prominent bouquet of yellow stamens. Blooming profusely from early to late summer, the blossoms are borne singly or in few-flowered clusters and cover the shrub. They give way to interesting cone-shaped dry pods which split in the fall and persist all winter. Densely branched, its stout, stiff, erect stems are clothed with smooth, lance-shaped, dark blue-green leaves, 2-3 in. long (5-7 cm), that turn yellow-green in fall. The bark of older stems exfoliates to reveal attractive, pale orange inner bark. Useful in the shrub border, this shrub adapts to a variety of moisture regimes and is even flood tolerant.

  • Grows up to 1-4 ft. tall and wide (30-120cm).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including dry rocky or sandy soils. Some drought tolerance once established.
  • Low maintenance, this plant is also generally pest and disease free. Keep an eye out for root rot and wilt in hot and humid climates. Deer resistant.
  • Perfect for banks and slopes, shrub borders or as a hedge.
  • Prune in early spring as this plant blooms on new growth. Seeds can be used for propagation but softwood cuttings, which root easily, are the usual method.
  • Ingestion may cause severe discomfort
  • Native to central and eastern North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 8

Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Hypericum – St John's Wort
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 1'
– 4'
(30cm
– 120cm)
Spread 1'
– 4'
(30cm
– 120cm)
Spacing 36″
– 48″
(90cm
– 120cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens