Hypericum stragulum
low St. John's wort
Overview
Hypericum stragulum is a low, spreading deciduous shrub reaching 6–24 inches (15–60 cm) tall and spreading 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) wide, forming a mounded mat broader than tall. Stems are two-edged when young, becoming rounded with age, and the older bark exfoliates in thin strips to expose reddish-brown inner bark. Leaves are opposite, narrow, and 0.75–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) long, dark green above and paler beneath, dropping in autumn. Flowers open from June to August, measuring 0.5–0.75 inch (1.2–2 cm) across, with five yellow petals surrounding a dense central tuft of many stamens. The fruit is a dry reddish capsule about 0.25 inch (6 mm) long that persists into winter. H. stragulum was long treated within the Hypericum prolificum complex and differs in its lower, more prostrate habit and smaller stature. It grows in dry rocky or sandy open woods, glades, and barrens across the eastern United States. The shrub spreads slowly and grows in soils of low fertility, though it declines in wet, poorly drained ground and flowers less in dense shade.
Native Range
Hypericum stragulum is native to the eastern United States, from New York and Ontario south to Georgia and west to Missouri and Arkansas. It grows in dry upland woods, rocky glades, and sandy barrens.Suggested Uses
Used in dry sunny borders, rock gardens, and naturalized plantings on sandy or rocky slopes. Spaced 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) apart, it forms a low cover for erosion-prone banks.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from June to August. Each flower has five yellow petals and a central tuft of numerous stamens, lasting one to two days but produced in succession over several weeks. Reddish seed capsules follow and persist on the stems into winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow H. stragulum in full sun to part shade in well-drained sandy or rocky soil. It withstands drought once established and grows in soils of low fertility, including dry slopes and gravelly ground. Soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 is suitable. Flowering is heaviest in full sun and diminishes in shade. Established plants need little supplemental water except during extended drought in the first season. The shrub is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8.Pruning
Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth begins, removing dead or damaged stems and shortening the previous year's growth to keep a compact form. Flowers form on new wood, so cutting back in early spring does not reduce summer bloom.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring