St. John’s wortis a landscape workhorse that is a champion at providing food and shelter to wildlifeespecially pollinators.
The shrub is easy to grow and a cinch to incorporate into almost any landscape.
Shrubs growing in partly shaded sites may have fewer blossoms than shrubs planted in full sun.
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Fill in around the roots and tamp down the soil firmly to remove air pockets.
The native North American plant requires little maintenance once establishedbut watch out for unwanted growth.
Light
St. Johns wort prefers partial shade conditions but offers the most blooms when grown infull sun.
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Too much shade can stunt its growth.
St. Johns wort is drought tolerant once mature but may need supplemental watering while young.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal temperature range for St. Johns wort is between 60 and 80 degrees.
you’re free to prevent this by offering the plant shade from the harshest afternoon sun.
Stop watering your plant after the ground begins to freeze and ensure the soil is not waterlogged.
Container-grown St. Johns wort plants can be moved to a cool garage or shed but should not be watered.
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Pruning
In some climates, the tips of St. John’s wort branches die back in winter.
This is not a cause for concern because St. John’s wort will bloom on new growth.
Simply shear the plants back to live wood in the spring and this hardy perennial will regrow.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Every three or four years, consider giving your St. John’s wort plants arenewal pruning.
This involves shearing the plant back to half its height and encourages dense, vibrant new growth.
Renewal pruning also helps the plant retain a pleasing, rounded form.
Credit: Perry L. Struse
The size of container necessary depends on the variety, but should, nonetheless, have excellent drainage.
Add the rest of the soil and tamp it down firmly to secure the plant.
Water your plant thoroughly and place it in an area with full to partial sun.
Credit: Mike Jensen
As it grows, your container-grown plant may need extra water.
Keep the soil evenly moist (but not wet) until the plant is established.
Place the plant in its new container and fill the pot with fresh all-purpose potting mix.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Water the plant thoroughly and place it back in its sunny location.
Pests and Problems
St. Johns wort has very few (if any) pest problems.
However, in areas with wet winters (or if overwatered), it may struggle with root rot.
St. Johns wort seeds need light to germinate.
Remove all the leaves from the lower section of the cutting and dip it into rooting hormone.
Keep the soil evenly moist until rooting takes place in about 10 weeks.
When the plant is sturdy, you could transplant your cutting to a new container or the soil outside.
It grows best in zones 6-7.
It fares better in wet soils than other hypericum species, but still prefers full sun to partial shade.
It is also among the most cold hardy of the hypericum varieties and can be grown in zones 4-7.
Bee balm s hardy in zones 3-9 and known for being deer-resistant and drought-tolerant.
Black-Eyed Susan
Whether in garden beds, window boxes, or small containers, gardeners loveblack-eyed Susans.
Black-eyed Susans thrive in full sun and arent fussy about soil (as long as it is well-draining).
They are hardy in zones 3-11.
It is hardy in zones 3-10.
That means the plant has both a bloom season and a hibernation season.
Only some species produce the signature reddish-brown autumn berries.
There are a few factors that could lead to faded or yellowing leaves.
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants.
Common St. Johns Wort.
North Carolina Extension Gardener-Plant Toolbox.
Common St. Johnswort.Hypericum Perforatum.USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Fact Sheet.
