Hypericum densiflorum

Common Names

Bushy St. John's Wort, Dense St. John's Wort, St. John's Wort

Summary

Hypericum densiflorum, commonly called Bushy St. John’s-wort, is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States, typically 2–7 ft tall and 3–6 ft wide with an upright, multi-branched habit, it carries slender dark-green leaves arranged oppositely and produces dense clusters of bright golden-yellow flowers with numerous stamens in midsummer, followed by cone-shaped capsules, autumn foliage turns golden yellow, it grows best in full sun to partial shade and moist to wet, acidic soils, though it tolerates a wide range of soils from coarse sands to stiff clays and can endure some drought once established, hardiness spans USDA zones 3–8, and blooms occur on new growth, so pruning in early spring helps maintain shape and flowering, propagation is by seed (germination code A) or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer, with potential to spread aggressively, so ample space is recommended, uses include erosion control on banks and slopes, native/pollinator gardens, rock gardens, borders, hedges, and planting along ponds or streams

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-7 feet

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, moist soil with moderately acidic to neutral pH

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic to neutral soils (pH below 7); tolerates neutral soils

Bloom Color

Golden yellow

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green, Yellow/gold in fall

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow/Gold

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow to medium

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds