How to Grow Hypericum Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing St John’s Wort, Aaron’s Beard, Rose of Sharon & Tutsan

Most members of the Hypericum genus are weeds and are often classified as being an invasive species.

Before growing members of this genus in your garden you should carefully consider how the selected species will thrive in your local area; only grow if it is not considered a risk.

Plants of this genus are poisonous to cattle, and their invasiveness can cause major issues to farm land; especially in humid areas.

As a fairly large genus (490 species), it has numerous different growing habits, commonly as annuals, perennials and shrubs.

It can even grow as single stemmed tree, with the species Hypericum bequaertii being able to reach a height of 33 feet (10 m).

Many plants belonging to the Hypericum genus are hardy perennials that range in height from 6 inches to 6 feet (15 to 180 cm), and they come into bloom in the summer or autumn.

They are shrubby in nature, carrying wonderful yellow, saucer shaped flowers.

Shrubs and perennials differ greatly in that the latter produces root from horizontal nodes that touch the ground. Annuals have taproots.

Leaves are opposite and are marked by distinctive pale or dark glandular dots. These contain chemicals known as naphthodianthrone and hypericin. When a leaf is crushed they produce a red secretion from these secretions.

Flowers are generally yellow with four or five sepals and asymmetric petals. The colour of the flower varies from shades of lemon to deep yellow through to orangey yellow. The petals may are also often tinted or lined with a deep crimson red.

Hypericum perforatum is better known as Common St John’s Wort. It has long been used in traditional medicines to help treat depression. Even today it is often used as a replacement for expensive and over powerful prescription medications.

It has been noted that St John’s wort may interact in a negative way with prescription drugs, so if you intend to take it be sure to have a chat with your doctor beforehand.

Hypericum as a Garden Plant - Commonly Grown Hypericum Species

Though most members of this genus are noxious weeds, some species have had cultivars developed for use as an ornamental plant in gardens. Well Known Species include:

Hypericum androsaemum

Hypericum androsaemum (St. John's wort), photograph by Juan Manuel Sánchez; CC.

Hypericum androsaemum (Tutsan), this deciduous bushy shrub reaches about 3 feet (90 cm) in height and spread. It grows well in USA zones 5 to 9; UK Hardiness H5. It blooms in the summer with showy yellow flowers and is often used as an hedging plant in shady areas.

Hypericum calycinum

Hypericum calycinum (Rose-of-Sharon / Aaron's beard / Great St-John's wort / Creeping St. John's wort / Jerusalem star), picture by Joss Smithson; CC.

Hypericum calycinum (Rose of Sharon). Hardy in the US in Zones 5 to 10: UK H6. Small shrub to about 18 inches (45 cm) with a slightly larger spread to 24 inches (60 cm). Often used as groundcover and in areas with erosion. Bright yellow flowers in summer. Drought tolerant.

Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum (Perforate St John's-wort), photograph by Andreas Rockstein; CC.

Hypericum prolificum

Hypericum prolificum (Shrubby St. John's Wort), Image by Cranbrook Science; CC.

Hypericum kalmianum

Hypericum kalmianum (Kalm's St. John's wort), photograph by peganum; CC.

Commonly Grown Hypericum / St. John's wort Cultivars

Hypericum 'Hidcote'

Hypericum 'Hidcote' Cultivar photograph by Leonora (Ellie) Enking; CC.

Hypericum Hidcote (St. John's wort ‘Hidcort’). Shrub of two to four feet (60 cm to 1.2 m). Golden saucer shaped flowers in the summer; three inch (7.5 cm diameter. USA zones 5 to 9; UK Hardiness H5.

Hypericum 'Brigadoon'

Hypericum 'Brigadoon' photograph by F. D. Richards; CC.

Growing Location in the Garden

Depending on species type, they can be used in different parts of the garden: small species are great for rock gardens, whereas larger ones are good to use in garden borders.

Names for Hypericum plant genus members include St John's Wort (St John’s wort), Aaron's Beard, and Rose of Sharon.

How to Grow St John's Wort, Hypericum

You can grow St John's Wort and other Hypericum outdoors from seeds. These should be sown out in either early on in spring or towards the beginning of autumn.

Once sown lightly cover the St John's Wort seeds. Hypericum plants can grow in either a sunny area of the garden, or one that receives part shade.

They prefer a well drained slightly acidic soil of pH 5.5 to 7, but the type is not overly important.

If you first plan to grow Hypericum indoors then the growing process should start about two to two and a half months before they are due to be put out, either before th last frost of spring or at the beginning of autumn.

Hypericum will take from three weeks to three months to germinate at a temperature of about 10 to 12 degrees Celsius (54°F).

Caring for Hypericum

Hypericum basically look after themselves once established in the garden. They require a good prune at the start of spring however.

If you require more plants then cuttings can be took in the spring or summer; or you may prefer to divide the plants; this can be done in the autumn once flowering has finished.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Hypericum plants. You may also be interested in the following plants that have traditional uses: Woad; Self Heal; Rheumatism root; and Toothache tree.