Hypericum × hidcote, commonly known as St. John’s Wort or Hidcote Hypericum, is a compact, semi-evergreen shrub prized for its large golden-yellow flowers and long bloom season from summer into fall. This low-maintenance hybrid reaches 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, forming a rounded, dense mound ideal for borders, foundations, or erosion control. Its cheerful blooms attract generalist pollinators, but as a non-native hybrid, it offers limited benefit to native wildlife. It thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay and dry conditions once established.

Why choose Hidcote St. John’s Wort:

• Extended bloom season: Bright yellow flowers appear from early summer into fall

• Compact form: Naturally rounded habit works well in many landscape settings

• Low-maintenance: Drought-tolerant and adaptable to poor soils

Cultivating tips:

• Sun exposure: Best in full sun to part shade

• Soil needs: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates clay, sand, and drought once established

• Maintenance: Prune in early spring to encourage fresh growth and flowering

Designs for your garden:

• Foundation plantings: Adds long-lasting color and structure to mixed shrub beds

• Slopes and erosion control: Useful for stabilizing banks with minimal care

• Pollinator-friendly borders: Attracts bees and supports summer insect activity

Ecological considerations:

• Non-native hybrid: Limited support for native pollinators or wildlife

• Not a host plant: Does not support specialized insects or birds

• Best with natives: Use alongside native shrubs to enhance overall habitat value

Looking for native alternatives?

Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ – Ruby Spice Summersweet: A fragrant native shrub with rosy-pink summer blooms that attract bees and butterflies.
Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ – Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire: A native shrub with arching white flower spikes in early summer and brilliant red fall color.
Spiraea alba var. latifolia – White Meadowsweet: A sun-loving native with fluffy white flower clusters in summer that support pollinators and native insects.