Maintenance Landscaping Design

Shrubby st john's wort is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Hypericaceae. The plant is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa but has been introduced to many other parts of the world. The plant typically grows to 30–100 cm (12–39 in) tall and has dark green, lanceolate leaves. The leaves are opposite and have a serrated margin. The flowers are yellow and have five petals. The flower heads are borne in clusters of 3–12. The fruit is a capsule that contains many small black seeds.

Popular name

• common st. john's wort
  
• golden st. john's wort
  
• st. john's wort
  
• kerion
  
• hypericum

Things to Know

• native to europe, africa and asia
  
• a member of the hypericum genus
  
• a perennial herb
  
• characterized by its yellow flowers
  
• the leaves and stems are covered in small black dots
  
• the plant exudes a red liquid when cut
  
• the plant is poisonous to livestock
  
• the plant has medicinal properties
  
• the plant is used in aromatherapy
  
• the plant is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world

How to Grow

1. For shrubby st john's wort, first step is to find a site that has good drainage and full sun.
   
2. Clear the area of any debris and weeds.
   
3. Use a shovel to dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the plant’s root ball.
   
4. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil.
   
5. Tamp down the soil gently and water thoroughly.
   
6. Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plant, keeping it away from the stem.
   
7. Water regularly, especially during the first growing season.
   
8. Fertilize in early spring and mid-summer with a balanced fertilizer.
   
9. Prune in late winter to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged branches.
   
10. Enjoy your beautiful shrubby st john's wort!

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, shrubby st john's wort grows best in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including heavy clay, but it performs best in sandy or gravelly soils. This plant is not particular about soil pH, and it will even grow in poor, dry soils.

About light

Like the other plants, St. John’s Wort requires sunlight to grow. However, this plant is a little different because it prefers partial sun or light shade. This means that it doesn’t need direct sunlight to grow, but it does need some sunlight to do well. If you’re thinking of planting St. John’s Wort, make sure to choose a spot in your garden that gets some sun but isn’t in full sun all day long.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is ideal for the growth of the shrubby st john's wort is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. If the temperature conditions are too hot or too cold, the plant will not thrive.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the air is too dry, the leaves will start to curl and the plant will become dormant. If the air is too humid, the leaves will start to yellow and the plant will become stressed.

The Fertilizer

For the fertilizer, this family of plant responds best to a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. However, they are not heavy feeders, so use it sparingly. The Shrubby St. John's Wort prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is a shrub that can grow anywhere from two to six feet tall and is a bit scraggly in appearance. The root system is fibrous and does not like to be disturbed.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of caring for a shrubby St. John's wort. This plant responds well to pruning, and doing so will help to keep it looking its best. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or diseased branches. Doing so will help to keep the plant healthy and prevent the spread of disease.

The Propagation

Propagation of this plant is by seed only, as it does not produce suckers. Sow the seeds in early spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, transplant the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out the following spring.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is during the spring and summer. However, if the conditions are right, they can also grow during the fall season. The rate of growth for these shrubs is slow to moderate.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are scale, mealybugs, and spider mites. These pests can be controlled with a variety of insecticides and miticides. Some of the common fungicides that are used to control diseases of shrubby st john's wort include copper fungicides, sulfurs, and neem oil.

Growing Tips

• Do not forget to water your plant regularly. St John's Wort needs moderate to regular watering, so make sure to keep an eye on the soil moisture.
  
• Fertilize your plant every few weeks during the growing season. A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer will work fine.
  
• Prune your plant regularly to encourage new growth and prevent it from getting too leggy.
  
• Place your plant in an area that receives full sun to partial shade.
  
• Keep an eye out for pests and diseases. Common problems include spider mites, whiteflies, and powdery mildew.
  
• Harvest the plant regularly to encourage new growth. You can cut the stems back to about 6 inches.
  
• Dry or press the leaves and flowers to use in crafts or potpourris.
  
• The leaves and flowers can also be used to make a tea.
  
• You can also make a tincture or

You May Like

• Hypericum capitatum
  
• Hypericum depressum
  
• Hypericum formosum
  
• Hypericum mutilum
  
• Hypericum myrtifolium
  
• Hypericum olympicum
  
• Hypericum patulum
  
• Hypericum pedunculosum
  
• Hypericum perforatum
  
• Hypericum prolificum

Source:
Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum)-Hort Answers
Hypericum calycinum (Aaron's Beard, Creeping Aaron's Beard, St. John's ...
Shrubby St. John's Wort - University of Wisconsin–Madison