Hypericum kalmianum

St. Johnswort

This compact, easy-to-grow shrub forms nice masses and should be placed where the bright yellow flowers show to full advantage. The flowers bloom for about 6 weeks and have a showy tuft of yellow stamens. Butterflies, bumblebees, and other pollinators love the nectar. The semi-evergreen leaves are dark blue-green all season and last into late fall.

Benefits:

Great source of nectar for bumblebees and other pollinators

Showy yellow flowers for 6 weeks in summer

Good small shrub for mass planting

Thrives in hot sun and poor, rocky soils

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Easy to grow in average, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.

Prefers moist, rich, sandy loams but tolerates poor soils and drought.

If plants need pruning, cut them back to shape and reduce the size of the plant in late fall. Do not cut them back all the way to the ground.

Height 2-3 Feet

Spread 2-3 Feet

Native Range Dunes and rocky lake shores, common around the Great Lakes from the Ottawa River to southern Ontario, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan south to Illinois and Ohio.

Native Trivia Bumblebees are black and yellow and hairy. They carry pollen on their hind legs to bring back to the hive. They are often found foraging at flowers and are quite docile while at work. Bumblebees are beneficial insects and have no equal when it comes to pollinating certain crops such as red clover and blueberries.

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-7

"Nectar from plants like this attracts pollinators like me and is the primary ingredient in honey."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Small Shrubs	Exposure • Filtered Shade • Sun	Soil • Well-drained	Soil Moisture Preference • Average
Attracts Wildlife • Beneficial insects • Hummingbirds • Butterflies	Bloom Time • Summer	Habitat Collection • Butterfly	Foliage Color • Blue-green
Uses • Rock garden • Mass plant