Shrubby St. John’s-Wort is a small, easy-to-grow, cheerful, summer blooming shrub native to the eastern half of North America. In the wild, it is found in a range of different growing conditions, from swamp margins to rocky ledges and sandy meadows to open woods. It is extremely adaptable and hardy, making it a go-to plant for difficult areas of the landscape. It tends to seed itself around when it is happy, which can be an asset for large naturalized areas, but not always a good thing for more orderly gardens. This shrub is avoided by mammalian herbivores due to its toxic foliage, so it tends to be plentiful where it is planted due to selective browsing. It is good at occupying ground and preventing the establishment of non-native, invasive species.
The radiant yellow flowers have a pompom-like cluster of stamens in the center, drawing in bees from far and wide. Bumblebees are their main pollinators, which retrieve copious amounts of pollen to feed their larva. The flowers are a lovely midsummer treat for bees and gardeners alike.
*This is not the species renowned for its medicinal properties which is the non-native, invasive in this region Hypericum perforatum.
Sources:
Native Trees, Shrubs, & Vines by William Cullina
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr
Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees by Charlotte Adelman & Bernard L. Schwartz
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Illinois Wildflowers
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Hypericum prolificum (Shrubby St. Johns-Wort) - 2 gal
Shrubby St. Johns-Wort
Plant Care & Installation Quick-Guide
Proper acclimation and installation are key to your plant's success. Please cross-reference these tips with your plant's specific ID tags:
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Pre-Planting: Store plants in a light-appropriate area on soil or grass (avoid hot concrete or asphalt) and water daily until the soil is saturated and the pot feels heavy. If temperatures drop below 30°F, move pots to a garage or cover them to prevent root freeze.
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Installation: Dig a hole matching the depth of the pot, remove the fabric container, and ensure the plant’s crown or root flare is level with the ground. Fill gaps with soil, water heavily, and apply 2 inches of mulch—keeping it clear of the stem.
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Ongoing Care: Check moisture daily by feeling 1–2 inches into the soil; water deeply at the base if the soil feels dry or warm. Newly installed plants require frequent watering (up to 3–4 times weekly in heat) until fully established, which can take a few months for perennials and up to two years for trees.