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Hypericum hypericoides

St. Andrew's cross

Hypericaceae Eastern and southern North America

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–10

Overview

Hypericum hypericoides is a low, much-branched evergreen to semi-evergreen subshrub in the family Hypericaceae, reaching 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and spreading 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) wide. The wiry stems have flaky, two-edged reddish-brown bark and bear small, narrow, oblong leaves 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) long, dotted with translucent glands. From summer into fall it produces small yellow flowers about 0.5 inch (1-1.5 cm) across with four petals arranged in an X, the cross-like pattern behind the name St. Andrew's cross. Two large leaf-like sepals flank each flower and persist around the small pointed seed capsule that follows. The plant forms a dense, twiggy, rounded mound and roots where lower stems touch the ground. H. hypericoides grows in dry, sandy, acidic soils of pine woods and clearings, and its low stature limits its presence in a mixed border. The whole plant tolerates poor soil, heat, and drought once established.

Native Range

Native to the eastern and southern United States and into Central America and the Caribbean, Hypericum hypericoides ranges from New Jersey and Illinois south to Florida and Texas. It grows in dry to moist sandy woods, pine flatwoods, clearings, and roadsides on acidic soils.

Suggested Uses

Used in native plant gardens, sandy or dry borders, naturalized pine-woodland plantings, and low informal groundcover masses. Its drought tolerance suits xeriscape and erosion-prone slopes. The summer flowers supply pollen for bees, and the seeds and cover support small wildlife.

How to Identify

Look for a low, twiggy subshrub with thin, two-edged reddish-brown bark that peels in flakes and small, narrow, gland-dotted leaves. The yellow flowers have four petals set in an X or cross shape, smaller than the five-petaled flowers of most Hypericum spp. species. Two broad leafy sepals frame each flower and the capsule. The four-petaled cross pattern and shrubby base separate it from the herbaceous St. John's-worts.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers open from early summer into fall, generally June to September, a few at a time over a long season. Each yellow, four-petaled flower lasts about a day. Bees gather the pollen, as the flowers produce no nectar.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in dry to medium, well-drained, sandy or rocky acidic soil with a pH around 4.5-6.5. It tolerates poor, lean ground, heat, and drought once established, while overly rich or wet soil shortens its life. Plants stay denser and flower more freely in full sun. Light shearing after bloom keeps the mound compact. It self-sows and layers where stems touch soil, slowly forming small colonies. Little feeding or watering is needed in suitable ground.

Pruning

Pruning needs are low. Plants are sheared lightly in late winter or after flowering to keep a dense, rounded form and remove winter-damaged tips. Older, woody, or sparse plants are cut back hard in early spring to renew growth.

Pruning Schedule

winterearly spring