Shrubs

Hypericum calycinum

Creeping St. John’s wort

Creeping St. John’s wort. Representative plant

Large yellow flowers with prominent stamens appear above low, spreading foliage in summer. Underground stems gradually form a dense groundcover, useful on slopes and broad bed edges. Give it room away from small neighboring plants that it could overwhelm.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Mature size: Height: 12–18 in. · Spread: 18–24 in.; spreads farther
Water: Well-drained soil; tolerates dry sites
Hardiness: USDA zones 5–10

Sizes & prices

#1St. Johns Wort$16.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

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Resistance & tolerances

Drought: Tolerant once established.

Keep in mind: Not edible; keep children and pets from eating foliage or fruit.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Evergreen in mild winters; dies back in colder sites.

Growing & care

Pruning: Cut back in spring to renew groundcover growth; flowers form on new stems.

Sources & photo credits

NC State Extension

Photo: Camelia TWU · CC BY 2.0

Image notes: Creeping St. John’s wort. Representative plant; resized and re-encoded, not cropped.

Reviewed September 21, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.