Hypericum Species, Perforate St. John's Wort, Common St. Johnswort, Klamath Weed

Hypericumperforatum

Family
Hypericaceae (hy-PER-ee-KAY-see-ee)
Genus
Hypericum (hy-PER-ee-kum)
Species
perforatum (per-for-AY-tum)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Birmingham, Alabama

Pottsville, Arkansas

Ceres, California

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Woodstock, Georgia

Centerville, Iowa

Erie, Michigan

Saint Helen, Michigan

Cole Camp, Missouri

Saint Louis, Missouri

Euclid, Ohio

Coatesville, Pennsylvania

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Feasterville Trevose, Pennsylvania

Millersburg, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Wakefield, Rhode Island

Columbia, South Carolina

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Wytheville, Virginia

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
5
neutrals
1
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
C
ROSLINDALE, MA | July 2016 | neutral

This herbaceous perennial spreads aggressively both by rhizomes and by self-sowing. Fairly weedy here in Massachusetts.

Na...Read More

R
Downingtown, PA | July 2016 | neutral

I see this Eurasian perennial occasionally in different spots in fields and roadsides in eastern North America as a wildflower. I am not ...Read More

P
P
| August 2013 | negative

Classified as a prohibited noxious weed by Govt. Alberta
Please check your province/state

R
Minneapolis, MN | November 2006 | positive

Our St. John's Wort is the hardiest ground cover herb in the Lasalle community garden (Minneapolis 55403) its yellow flowers bloom most ...Read More

P
Deal, NJ (Zone 7a) | July 2003 | neutral

This plant grows wild where I am, (the Mid-Atlantic). It's not a really showy plant, not suited for a perennial or flower garden. Alth...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | July 2002 | neutral

Hypericin compounds found in flower petals, leave and stem tissue are said to have antidepressant effect in humans, but can cause light sensitivity.

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Perforated St. John's Wort is found in drier conditions than other species.

A popular herb in medieval times, St. John'...Read More

Featured
Locust Twig Borer Moth
(Ecdytolopha insiticiana)
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Featured
Locust Twig Borer Moth
(Ecdytolopha insiticiana)
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)