Hypericum prolificum

Common Names

Common St. John's Wort, Shrubby St. John's Wort, St. John's Wort

Summary

Native to Central and eastern North America, Hypericum prolificum is a compact, deciduous shrub with a dense, rounded habit that typically grows about 2-4 feet tall and 1-4 feet wide. It bears showy summer flowers with five bright yellow petals and numerous stamens; seed capsules are cone-shaped and persist into autumn, and older stems shed bark to reveal a pale orange inner layer. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, from dry rocky or sandy sites to well-drained, evenly moist conditions, with drought tolerance once established. It is used in mass plantings, native gardens, hedges, and embankment stabilization, and attracts pollinators including bees; it is deer resistant and generally pest-free. Propagation is possible from seeds or cuttings, and pruning in early spring helps maintain shape.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-5 feet

Spread

2-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade; full sun preferred for maximum blooms.

Soil Type

Dry, rocky or sandy soils (well-drained)

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soils that stay evenly moist.

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Dark green, Green

Fall Foliage Color

No appreciable fall color

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous (can be evergreen under certain conditions)

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators