Shrubby St. John's Wort
Shrubby St. John's Wort
Hypericum prolificum
Plant Details:
Plant type: Shrub | Straight native species
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil moisture: Dry to medium
Mature size: 1–4 ft. tall × 1–4 ft. wide
Bloom time: June–August
Growth rate: Medium
Container size: 3 gallon pot
Estimated size at pickup in feet (if available): 1-2
Great For
• Sunny shrub and perennial borders
• Slopes, embankments, and erosion control
• Pollinator and native plant gardens
Ecological Benefits
• Pollen-rich flowers attract native bees and other insects. Seed capsules provide winter texture and limited wildlife food.
Why We Recommend It
Shrubby St. John’s Wort is a compact native shrub that produces bright yellow flowers over a long summer season. We recommend it for sunny borders, dry slopes, lean soils, and erosion-control plantings where a tough, low-maintenance shrub is needed. Pollen-rich flowers attract native bees, and the foliage supports Gray Hairstreak caterpillars. It tolerates drought, clay, black walnut, and poor soil, but too much shade can make the plant open and sparse rather than dense and floriferous.
Good to Know
• Long display of bright yellow flowers
• Compact, tough native shrub
• Excellent choice for slopes and lean soils
Care/behavior information: Blooms on new growth. Prune or cut back in early spring if a compact shape is desired.
Warning or placement concerns (if applicable): May become open and sparse in too much shade. Do not confuse this ornamental shrub with weedy nonnative St. John's-worts.
Notable wildlife detail (if applicable): A larval host for the gray hairstreak butterfly.
Deer resistant (if applicable): Yes
Rabbit resistant (if applicable):
Special tolerances: Drought; clay soil; poor soil; black walnut; erosion
Fall 2026 Plant Pickup
This is a preorder item and will not be available until our fall pickup event. Plants are not shipped.
Pickup Dates
Thursday, October 1, 2026 |11:00 AM–6:00 PM in Noblesville, IN
Friday, October 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM in Noblesville, IN
Pickup Location
Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Noblesville, Indiana. More info will be shared via email as the pick-up dates approach.
Please plan to pick up your order during one of these scheduled times. Plants are living material and cannot be held beyond the pickup event unless prior arrangements have been made.
Plant Guarantee
We guarantee that you will receive a healthy plant at pickup. Because survival depends on planting methods, weather, site conditions, and ongoing care, we cannot offer refunds or guarantees after pickup. Height estimates are approximate and not guaranteed. Remember that you're investing in a healthy root system—the foundation of long-term success—not simply above-ground height.
Photos courtesy of Arbor Day Foundation and/or Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder.