Hypericum perforatum (Perforate St. John’s Wort)

Hypericum perforatum (Perforate St. John’s Wort) is an upright perennial with showy, star-shaped, yellow flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), from early to late summer. Borne in pyramidal clusters, they are produced in great numbers, up to 25–100 per stem. Each flower presents 5 petals, peppered with black dots around the edge and a prominent tuft of yellow-tipped stamens. The stalk-less, oblong or linear, pale green leaves display scattered translucent dots that make the leaf look perforated when held up to the light – hence the common name. Hypericum plants have been used for centuries as herbal treatments for a variety of medical problems including externally for wounds, inflammations, burns, skin disorders, and nerve pain, and internally for anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The active ingredient in the leaves and flowers is hypericin.

• Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm). Develops extensive root systems, and spreads by both runners and often prolific self-seeding.
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in medium moisture, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
• Low maintenance, this plant is also generally pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
• Perfect for banks and slopes, prairies, and meadows.
• No pruning is required. Propagate by seed, division, or take softwood cuttings.
• Toxic to horses.
• Due to its ability to produce large amounts of persistent seed, Hypericum perforatum is listed as a noxious weed in California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Ingestion may cause severe discomfort
• Native to Europe, North Africa, southwestern Asia