Also known as St. John's Wort · 498 gardener saves
Hypericum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Hypericum, the genus most gardeners know as st. john's wort. We track 21 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Hypericum varieties
Of 21 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedHypericum frondosum Goldmound
Hypericum frondosum
#2 most savedGreat St. John's Wort
Hypericum ascyron
#3 most savedVariegated Hypericum
Hypericum patulum 'Hidcote Variegated'
Shrubby St. Johnswort
Hypericum prolificum
Kalm's St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum 'Sunny Boulevard'
Kalm's St. John's Wort
Hypericum kalmianum
Gemo St. Johnswort
Hypericum kalmianum 'Gemo'
Ames St. Johnswort
Hypericum kalmianum 'Ames'
Briggadoon St. John's Wort
Hypericum calycinum 'Briggadoon'
Tomentose Hypericum
Hypericum tomentosum
Sunny Boulevard St. John's Wort
Hypericum kalmianum 'Piihyp I'
Hidcote St. John's Wort
Hypericum patulum 'Hidcote'
Browse all 21 Hypericum varieties →
How to grow Hypericum
What the Hypericum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 21 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Hypericum year
- PruneFebruary and March100% of varieties
Cut back by 1/3 in late winter/early spring to maintain dense shape.
- MulchMarch and April48% of varieties
Refresh mulch layer to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October48% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall. Tolerates a wide range of soils.
Do
- Prune lightly after flowering
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater in winter ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Don't overwater once the plant is established.
What goes wrong with Hypericum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Curling leaves and sticky residue | Spray with insecticidal soap organically; use neem oil |
| None significant | This is a very pest-resistant shrub. | No action is typically needed. |
| Scale insects | Small bumps on stems and leaves | Apply horticultural oil in early spring |
| Spider mites | Webbing and speckled leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves in overly wet soil | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves, and plant decline, especially in wet soil. | Prevention is key. Plant only in well-drained locations. There is no cure for an infected plant. |
| Rust | Orange or brown powdery pustules on the undersides of leaves. | Improve air circulation. Remove and destroy infected leaves. Apply a fungicide containing myclobutanil if the problem is severe. |
Making more Hypericum
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Mist cuttings daily and keep in bright, indirect light for 4–6 weeks
Division
- Divide mature plants in early spring.
- Replant divisions at same depth.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Hypericum questions
How many types of Hypericum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 21 distinct Hypericum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 498 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Hypericum grow in?
Across its varieties, Hypericum covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Hypericum bloom?
Most Hypericum varieties bloom in mid-summer, early summer, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Hypericum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Hypericum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
