Large-Flowered St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Kouytchense)

Large-Flowered St. John's Wort

Features and Characteristics

Hypericum kouytchense is a semi-evergreen (deciduous in St. Louis) shrub that typically grows in a dense mound to 2-3’ tall and to 3-5’ wide. It is noted for its yellow flowers, blue-green foliage and red fruit. This is a rounded shrub with arching stems clad with elliptic to ovate, bluish-green leaves (to 5” long). Five-petaled, golden yellow flowers (5-inch diameter) in multi-flowered cymes bloom from summer to fall (June-September). Each flower has five showy styles and a distinctive center boss of erect yellow stamens in five indistinct bundles. Many authorities including the Royal Horticultural Society consider H. ‘Sungold’ to be synonymous with this species.

Genus name comes from the Greek words hyper meaning above and eikon meaning picture in reference to the practice of hanging flowers from this genus above images, pictures or windows.

Specific epithet means of Kweichow (Guizhou) province in central China.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, rich, sandy loams. Tolerates some drought.

Large-Flowered St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Kouytchense) Requirements

Hardiness zone	6 - 9
Sun light	Full Sun To Part Shade
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses

Low hedge, border or rock garden. Wood margins, rocky slopes, wild gardens, naturalized areas or pond peripheries.

Large-Flowered St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Kouytchense) Details

Common name	Large-Flowered St. John's Wort
Botanical name	Hypericum Kouytchense
Plant type	Deciduous Shrub
Family	Hypericaceae
Hardiness zone	6 - 9
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	Yellow
Flowering period	June - September
Height	2 - 3 Ft.
Width	3 - 5 Ft.