Genus Hypericum (St. John's wort)

Hypericum androsaemum 'Albury Purple' Photo/Illustration: Steve Silk

hy-PARE-ih-kum Common Name: St. John's wort

The more than 400 species of Hypericum are annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees that are found world-wide in a myriad of habitats. They may be decidous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen.
Noteworthy characteristics: Various species have attractive autumn color and showy fruit. There is a species for nearly every growing climate and landscape situation.
Care: Moist but well-drained soil of moderate fertility. Sun and pruning requirements vary by species.
Propagation: For perennials, root softwood cuttings in late spring or divide in spring or fall. For shrubs, root greenwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in fall.
Problems: Thrips, scale, anthracnose, rust, leaf spots.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Hypericum

Hypericum androsaemum 'Albury Purple'
(Tutsan) (1 user review)

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This is a bushy, deciduous shrub with upright branches. Purple-flushed green leaves grow up to 4 inches long and are mildly resin scented when bruised. 'Albury Purple' bears stalked, star-shaped or cupped yellow flowers, up to 11 per cluster on distinctive 2-edged stems. Round, red berry-like fruit follows.

Hypericum calycinum 'Brigadoon'
(Aaron's beard, St. John's wort) Be the first to rate this plant

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'Brigadoon' is a new St. John's wort with brilliant chartreuse-yellow foliage that looks great next to dark-foliaged plants. It grows 12 to 16 inches tall and spreads quickly to about 2 feet wide, making it an excellent groundcover when planted in groups. In the sun, the small, oval leaves turn a dazzling orange-gold. The fuzzy, rather inconspicuous yellow flowers appear in midsummer. 'Brigadoon' tolerates heat, most any type of well-drained soil, and shade.

Hypericum frondosum ‘Sunburst’
(St. John's wort) Be the first to rate this plant

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This is a small, upright, mounded, deciduous shrub with attractive, flaking reddish-brown bark on mature stems and striking, linear to oblong blue green leaves. Midsummer to early autumn, this plant bears golden yellow flowers with striking, bushy center stamens. Reddish-brown fruit capsules ripen in September and persist well into the winter. St. John's wort excels in the Midwest.

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