St. John ’s wort is a pretty bush with cheery , yellow bloom and twelvemonth - round pursuit — but be disposed to wangle its outgrowth .
St. John ’s wortis a landscape workhorse that is a title-holder at providing food and tax shelter to wildlife — especially pollinators . TheNorth American nativeoffers bright yellow flowers in late June followed by red - brown crepuscule Berry and — when conditions are favorable — year - round fleeceable foliage . The shrub is easy to grow and a picnic to incorporate into almost any landscape . Since it is seldom browsed by cervid and hare , St. John ’s wort is also a great plant for landscapes plagued by these munching pestilence .
St. John ’s wort typically maturate to about 3 foot marvelous and 2 foot wide and spreads rapidly via rhizomatous underground stem and shoot . For this reason , the plant is often detect growing wild along roadsides , in grasslands , and in open woodland areas . In fact , itscreeping growth habithas lead to a few vernacular name including goatweed , rosin weed , Klamath weed , Tipton smoke , and devil’sscourge .
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It should also be noted that St. John ’s wort is moot toxic to humans , dogs , computerized tomography , and horses . Use care when plant the shrub in areas where pet and tyke flirt and wear off gloves when handling or pruning the plant .
Where to Plant St. John’s Wort
There are almost 500 varieties of works in theHypericumgenus , many of which develop attractively in hard - to - plant arena . Common St. John ’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) adds color and grain to entry garden , instauration plantings , perennial bed , andmixed bush edge . There are also low - growing , ground cover varieties of St. John ’s wort that can be used in squish garden for erosion control . you’re able to even detect Reginald Marsh - friendly types ( likeHypericumelodes ) that will grow happily alongside bogs , pool , and streams .
Most St. John ’s wort varieties expand in full Sunday to part shade and moist , well - drain soil , but are tolerant of a wide range of mountains of grease types . shrub uprise in part shaded site may have fewer blossoms than bush planted in full sun .
St. John ’s wort spreads rapidly via underground rhizomes and is considered a noxious weed in a number of westerly states include Washington , Oregon , Colorado , Nevada , Wyoming , Utah , and Montana . Before plant it , refer with your localNatural Resources Conservation Service ( NRCS ) field officeor cooperative gardening extension to see if the shrub is considered trespassing or a classified as a threat to aboriginal habitats in your area .
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How and When to Plant St. John’s Wort
you could establish seedling or nursery - grown St. John ’s wort in spring or early summer . To do so , dig a hole about the same size as the plant ’s container , tease asunder the plant life ’s roots , and set the plant in the center of the hole . Fill in around the roots and pack down the grease firmly to remove air pockets . Blanket the ground around plant with a 2 - inch - thicklayer of mulchand water your St. John ’s wort regularly during the first farm season to further an extensive root system .
St. John’s Wort Care Tips
Plant St. John ’s wort in the spring and you are indisputable to delight in its sunny summertime flowers , fall Berry ( on some species ) , and twelvemonth - round of golf evergreen foliage . The aboriginal North American plant call for little maintenance once plant — but watch out for unwanted growth .
Light
St. John ’s wort prefers partial shade consideration but offers the most rosiness when acquire infull sun . Too much shade can stunt its growth .
Soil and Water
St. John ’s wort turn dear in moist , well - drained soil , but tolerates almost anysoil conditionsincluding sandy , loamy , and Lucius Clay soil . It is also not fussy about its territory pH and can farm well in acidic , neutral , and alkaline soils . That read , if you survive in an especially wet climate , plant your St. John ’s wort in well - draining , sandlike stain to guard off root rot — a common issue for the shrub in rainy neighborhood .
St. John ’s wort is drouth tolerant once mature but may need auxiliary watering while unseasoned . irrigate your baby shrubs on a regular basis during the first develop season and reduce lacrimation ( or swear only on rain ) in subsequent seasons .
Temperature and Humidity
The idealistic temperature range for St. John ’s wort is between 60 and 80 degrees . In hot climate , the leave-taking of your St. John ’s wort plant may begin to fade , rick scandalmongering , or kink in the sun . you’re able to prevent this by offering the plant shade from the harsh good afternoon sun .
If you experience in an area with cold winters , your St. John ’s wort plant will go sleeping as temperatures dip below 40 level Fahrenheit . break off water your plant after the footing begins to immobilise and ensure the ground is not waterlogged . If the soil is too wet when it freezes , you may drop off the plant to rout decompose over the winter . Container - arise St. John ’s wort plants can be locomote to a nerveless service department or slough but should not be watered .
St. John ’s wort is not bother by humidity , but if there is too much ambient wet , root rotand other fungous disease may develop .
Fertilizer
St. John ’s wort plants do not require dressing , but if planted in very pathetic soil may do good from an software of organic mulch each spring or fall .
Container - grown St. John ’s wort plants may do good from a once - monthlyapplication of slow - vent fertilizer(with a low concentration of nitrogen to morning star , and potassium ) throughout the grow time of year .
Pruning
In some climates , the tips of St. John ’s wort branches give way back in winter . This is not a reason for concern because St. John ’s wort will bloom on fresh outgrowth . just shear the plants back to hold out wood in the leap and this dauntless perennial will regrow .
If you prune your St. John ’s wort plants in former spring , they will give rise a large crop of bloom in summer . Every three or four yr , consider giving your St. John ’s wort works arenewal pruning . This involves shearing the plant back to half its stature and encourages dense , vibrant new growth . Renewal pruning also helps the plant retain a pleasing , rounded form .
Potting and Repotting
St. John ’s wort is not picky and cangrow beautifully in containers — specially on sunny terrace and porches . The size of container necessary depends on the mixture , but should , nonetheless , have excellent drainage . For example , a single common St. John ’s wort works should fare well in a medium - sized container ( 12 to 15 inches ) without needing to be transplanted for a while . If you experience in an area with cold-blooded wintertime , keep off using terra - cotta containers as they may crack in icy temperatures .
occupy your container partway with a estimable - quality , all - use potting mix and add the plant life to the shopping mall of the tummy . Add the rest of the dirt and tamp it down steadfastly to secure the plant . Water your plant exhaustively and place it in an area with full to fond Sunday . As it grows , your container - grown plant may involve redundant piddle . Keep the ground equally moist ( but not sloshed ) until the plant is established . Throughout the develop time of year , give your St. John ’s wort plant a regular applications programme of sluggish - release fertilizer ( but choose a formula low in nitrogen ) . When winter arrive , consider motivate your pot St. John ’s wort to a protected sphere or wrap the container in gunny to protect the roots from Robert Frost .
If you ask to repot your St. John ’s wort , plan to do so after the active growth time of year . In late fall or former spring , prepare a new container and play the works gently out of its old pot . Place the plant in its new container and satiate the pot with fresh all - purpose potting mixture . piss the plant thoroughly and place it back in its gay location .
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St. John ’s wort can also be grown indoors if it is yield ample access to sunlight and is protected from heat sources ( like radiator , blank space heaters , and vents ) . To prevent theme rot , permit the stain of your works to dry out between waterings and annul letting water puddle in the pot .
Pests and Problems
St. John ’s wort has very few ( if any ) pest problems . However , in orbit with besotted winters ( or if overwatered ) , it may struggle with stem rot . If wet wintertime are a challenge in your area , be sure to plant your St. John ’s wort inwell - run out , sandy soil .
How to Propagate St. John’s Wort
The leisurely way to circularize St. John ’s wort is via seed . You canstart them indoors6 to 8 weeks before the last frost or direct sow them outdoors once the danger of Robert Frost has passed . To plant your seed indoors , prepare a pocket-size container with good - quality potting mix and compress the seed gently into your soil , but do not cover them . St. John ’s wort come need lighting to germinate . Keep your container in a warm place ( about 60 degrees Fahrenheit ) and your seeds should start to germinate in about 10 to 20 days . After the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches long , they can be transpose to larger container or the priming coat outdoors .
you’re able to alsopropagate St. John ’s wort via cuttingsby selecting a 4- to 6 - column inch softwood stem from a salubrious section of the plant and turn off the stem just above a leaf bud . Remove all the leave of absence from the dispirited section of the press clipping and dip it into rooting hormone . you’re able to then stay put the stem into a grow pot fill with a miscellany of perlite and compost . Water your cutting , site a plastic pocketbook over the pot , and put the great deal in a warm orbit to take root . Keep the dirt evenly moist until rooting pack station in about 10 week . When the industrial plant is sturdy , you could transplant your cutting to a novel container or the stain outside .
Types of St. John’s Wort
Common St. John’s Wort
Common St. John ’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) is among the most prolific sort found in North America — so much so that it is considered invasive in some states and provinces . It typically grow to about 3 feet gamey and 2 feet wide and features summertime heyday , autumn berries , and deciduous , green leafage .
Tutsan St. John’s Wort
Tutsan St. John ’s wort ( a.k.a . , sweet amber orHypericum androsaemum ) features clustering of golden flush , coppery - dark-brown autumn Charles Edward Berry , and oblong green to red - purpleness leaves . It grows sound in zone 6 - 7 . Without proper direction , it can become incursive , but flora breeders have develop cultivars ofHypericum androsaemumthat are genetically infertile , seedless , and non - encroaching .
‘Mystical Red’ St. John’s Wort
‘ Mystical Red ’ St. John ’s wort ( Hypericumxinodorum ) is a semi - evergreen or deciduous cultivar with an upright growth habit that produces star - forge yellow flower in midsummer and bright red Chuck Berry in the fall . It is hardy in zones 6 - 9 and typically maturate to about 2 to 3 feet tall in full sunlight to fond shade .
Marsh St. John’s Wort
Marsh St. John ’s wort ( Hypericum elodes ) , as the name implies , grow attractively in marshlands , bog gardens , and near ponds in zone 7 - 9 . It has evergreen foliage with small sensationalistic bloom ( from June through August ) and is native to the wetlands of North America , Europe , and Asia . It fare well in slopped soil than other hypericum species , but still favor full sun to partial spook .
‘Sunny Boulevard’ St. John’s Wort
‘ Sunny Boulevard ’ St. John ’s wort ( Hypericum kalmianum ) is a tightly - bifurcate deciduous shrub with a long bloom time of year ( from June or July through September ) . It has a succinct , mounding ontogeny habit that typically stretches to no more than 2 or 3 feet tall . It is also among the most cold hardy of the genus Hypericum form and can be grow in zones 4 - 7 .
Shrubby St. John’s Wort
Shrubby St. John ’s wort ( Hypericum prolificum ) brook a mickle of similarity toHypericum perforatumand the two are often confounded . Shrubby St. John ’s wort has a rounded , thickset growing habit ( hence the common name ) and often flower with pom - pommy clusters of yellow from June through August .
Companion Plants for St. John’s Wort
Bee Balm
Like St. John ’s wort , bee balm(sometimes called barbaric bergamot ) pull in helpful pollinator and prefers at least 6 hours of full sun exposure each day . It blossom in vibrant shadowiness of pink , flushed , ashen , and purple with redolent leaves that have a citrusy - mint aroma when crushed . Bee balm s unfearing in zone 3 - 9 and know for being cervid - resistant and drouth - resistant .
Black-Eyed Susan
Whether in garden beds , windowpane boxes , or little container , gardeners loveblack - eyed Susans . It ’s not surprising considering how easy they are to grow and the fact that they draw in beneficial pollinator ( like bees , butterflies , and birds ) while repelling deer and cony . disgraceful - eyed Susans thrive in full sun and are n’t fussy about soil ( as long as it is well - draining ) . They are fearless in zones 3 - 11 .
Joe Pye Weed
Its name may not fathom elegant , but the perennialJoe Pye weedis a stunning command piece in any garden . The shrub can raise as much as 8 feet tall and is often recommended to gardener who require the look of a butterfly bushwithout the invading tendencies . Like St. John ’s wort , Joe Pye weed prefers full sun but enjoys a funny respite from the harshest summertime Lord’s Day . It is audacious in zones 3 - 10 .
Alpine Strawberry
If you are bet for a pretty , yet functional flora to arise in the understory of your improbable St. John ’s wort bush , conceive wild ( a.k.a . ,Alpine ) strawberries . The repeated grows in mounds less than a foot tall and grow dainty white flush observe by angelical , gumdrop - size berries from early summer to fall . give their goodish outgrowth habit , they are perfect for garden boxes or for describe a walkway and will grow best in full Lord’s Day and productive , well - draining soil in zone 5 - 9 .
Frequently Asked Questions
In theHypericumgenus , there are one-year , perennial , and shrub mintage , but common St. John ’s wort is a deciduous perennial bush . That means the plant has both a bloom season and a hibernation time of year . It will fall back its blossom at the end of the summertime and will shed some ( or all ) of its leaves in the winter but regrow to full aura the following spring .
No . Only some species bring out the signature reddish - brownish autumn berries . If you need to have a Chuck Berry - producing shrub , look for variety like tutsan St. John ’s wort ( a.k.a . , sweet amber orHypericum androsaemum ) or common St. John ’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) .
There are a few factors that could lead to faded or yellowing leaves . It is not uncommon for leaves to pass during the hot days of summer , peculiarly if the plant is placed in an area without good afternoon shade . yellow leaves can also be a sign of overwatering , underwatering , insufficient light , and N or iron deficiencies in the soil .
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The name “ St. John ” refer to the plant ’s propensity to blossom around the sentence of the feast of St. John ( the Baptist ) in late June . The word “ wort ” come from the Old English wordwyrtand refers to a plant , root , herb , or vegetable .
St. John ’s Wort . ASPCA Toxic and Non - Toxic Plants .
Hypericum Perforatum . Common St. John ’s Wort . North Carolina Extension Gardener - Plant Toolbox .
Credit: Perry L. Struse
Common St. Johnswort . Hypericum Perforatum . USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Fact Sheet .
Credit: Mike Jensen
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
