Hypericum prolificum

Shrubby St. John’s wort’s yellow blooms are resplendent in the sunshine, their tall golden stamens beaming forth like rays of light. The shrub produces numerous flowers during the month of July, serving as a favorite pollen source for bumble bees. Midsummer is a busy time for the bees, as their colonies produce as many female workers, male drones, and next-year’s queens as possible. Shrubby St. John’s wort’s pollen nourishes all of these young members of the colony.

Native to NE Ohio meadows and forest edges, shrubby St. John’s wort grows well under full sun to partial shade, and in soils of moderately wet to moderately dry moisture. Due to its fairly good drought tolerance, shrubby St. John’s wort may be planted in rather dry parts of the home landscape and should not require midsummer watering.

A rounded shrub of 2-4 feet in height, shrubby St. John’s wort can be used in a variety of garden scenarios. As a woody plant, it can diversify the structure of a wildflower planting. It can also be used as a border along walkways, and if planted densely, may function as a low hedge. Its modest stature can be an asset, allowing its use in many spaces that would be too limiting for a larger shrub. It should require little to no maintenance, but if it grows taller than desired, it may be pruned in early spring without impairing its foliage or flowering. For a colorful display, plant shrubby St. John’s wort along with common yarrow, Virginia mountain mint, purple coneflower, and dense blazing star.

Photos by Fritz Flohr Reynolds and Leonora Enking.