How to Grow Shrubby St. Johns Wort

Summer flowering shrubs are a bonus in the garden and the shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) is one of the most popular. Lustrous blue-green leaves are the backdrop for bright yellow 1 inch flowers that make their appearance from June through September. Thick light brown stems peel on older plants to expose a pale orange coloring. It's a wonderful addition to any summer or winter garden.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Shrubby St. Johns Wort
• Shovel
• Knife or garden shears
• Water
• Mulch or other organic material

1. Select a planting site. Shrubby St. Johns Wort can be successfully grown in Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. The shrub prefers dry to medium soil in a location providing light shade. This shrub will tolerate hot, sandy, dry soil, but not soil that is wet.

2. Prepare the shrub. Containerized shrubs are preferred for transplant. Remove the St. Johns Wort from the container by firmly tapping the pot on the ground. Ease the shrub from the pot. Check for soil compaction around the roots. If planting the shrub is delayed, keep the plant in the pot and water regularly.

3. Dig the planting hole. Clear the planting site of any weeds, grass or other unwanted organic material. Dig the planting hole 2 to 3 times the width of the container and equal in depth.

4. Plant the shrub. Place the St. Johns Wort in the planting hole and add a small amount of soil at the bottom to stabilize the shrub. Fill the hole with water and allow to absorb. Backfill the remaining soil and water again.

5. Mulch the planting area. Spread a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the shrub and planting area. Since St. Johns Wort prefers drier soil than many shrubs, this step is primarily to prevent weeds.

Tips & Warnings

• Shrubby St. Johns Wort is a very hardy shrub that is rarely bothered by insects or diseases.

• Since St. Johns Wort blooms in summer, pruning should be done after it flowers. Dead and broken branches, however, may be removed in spring.

• Shrubby St. Johns Wort is a small mounded deciduous shrub 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 5 feet wide. It is very effective when planted in groups.

• After the shrub blooms, the flowers are replaced by dry, brown seed pods. They are a nice addition to dried floral arrangements.

• St. Johns Wort is toxic to some animals. Do not plant the shrub where farm animals might graze.