As Early Summer Unfolds, Hypericum Begins To Sparkle With Bright Yellow Flowers That Keep The Garden Cheerful For Weeks On End.

Tough, Tidy And Forgiving

Despite its cheerful look, Hypericum is a tough character. It copes with a wide range of soils, shrugs off urban conditions and doesn’t complain too much if you forget to water it for a bit once it’s established. Many forms make naturally rounded mounds that stay neat without complicated pruning, and ground‑cover types are superb at smothering weeds. For busy gardeners who still want a garden that looks cared‑for, it’s a quietly dependable ally.

  • Tough, Tidy And Forgiving
  • Versatile Shrub For Real-World Corners
  • A Long, Easy Season Of Sunshine Flowers

Hypericum at a Glance:

Common name: St John’s Wort

Latin name: Hypericum

Size in UK gardens: Most shrubby forms reach around 60cm–1.2m tall and wide; ground‑cover types often stay nearer 30–60cm.

Best position: Full sun or light partial shade in a reasonably sheltered spot, so flowers can open fully and foliage stays neat.

Soil: Most well‑drained garden soils, from light to fairly heavy, as long as they’re not permanently waterlogged.

Flowering time: A long season of bright yellow flowers from early summer, often continuing in flushes into early autumn.

Fragrance: Flowers are usually not noticeably scented; Hypericum is grown mainly for its cheerful blooms and berries.

Hardiness: Generally fully hardy across the UK, with foliage sometimes semi‑evergreen in milder winters.

Care level: Low to moderate; once established it’s a tough, easy shrub that responds well to a light trim and only asks for basic watering in dry spells.
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Grown Locally By Us.

Rather than travelling halfway across Europe, our mimosa trees are grown on site by the Simpson’s team. They’re toughened to local conditions, properly potted, and ready to get growing the moment you plant them.

Hypericum Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As container‑grown shrubs, Hypericum can be planted in most months when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, with spring and autumn usually the easiest times for roots to settle.

Watering: Water regularly through the first growing season, particularly in dry spells, so plants can establish well. Once established in the ground, most Hypericum will only need extra water during prolonged hot, dry weather.

Feeding: In decent garden soil, a light mulch of garden compost in spring is usually enough. On poorer or very sandy soils, a modest application of balanced fertiliser in spring helps keep growth steady and flowering generous.

Pruning: Usually just needs a light trim each year to remove spent stems and keep the plant compact. Ground‑cover forms can be cut back more firmly every year or two if they get straggly.

Winter: Generally hardy in UK gardens and often semi‑evergreen in milder areas. A mulch around the base in late autumn is helpful in colder or more exposed spots, but heavy protection is rarely needed in the ground.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Acer campestre

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

Acer campestre 'Queen Elizabeth'

Acer campestre 'Carnival'

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Hypericum is very well suited to small and front gardens. Many forms stay within 30–80cm, which is ideal for narrow borders along paths, drives or the front of the house. They offer a lot of impact for their size, providing neat, green mounds for much of the year and a long show of yellow flowers in summer. Because they’re tough and tolerant of most soils, they’re good choices for those “everyday” parts of the garden that still need to look cared‑for. With a light yearly trim, they stay compact and won’t overwhelm a modest plot.

Size depends on the species and variety. Ground‑cover types such as Hypericum calycinum often grow 30–60cm tall and spread steadily, forming a carpet, while shrubby forms like ‘Hidcote’ typically reach around 60cm–1.2m in height and spread over several years. Growth is usually reasonably quick once established, with new shoots filling in gaps each season. In most UK gardens you can expect a plant to reach a useful size within two or three years, after which a light trim keeps it in proportion to the space you have.

You can, provided you choose a suitable variety and a generous container. Compact shrubby forms are best for pots, as the more running ground‑cover types can quickly outgrow their space. Use a peat‑free, loam‑based compost with some added grit for drainage, and place the pot in full sun or light partial shade. Water regularly in dry weather and feed modestly in spring and early summer. With this care, a potted Hypericum will give you tidy foliage and a long season of yellow flowers, bringing a proper “bit of garden” to even a small patio or balcony.

Most Hypericum flower on new growth produced in spring and early summer, so pruning is best done in late winter or very early spring. For shrubby forms, remove any dead or weak stems at the base and lightly shorten the rest to tidy the shape and encourage fresh shoots. Every couple of years, you can also take out one or two of the oldest stems to keep the plant young and open. Ground‑cover types can be cut back fairly hard in late winter if they’ve become leggy. With this gentle, regular approach, Hypericum will stay compact, healthy and full of flowers.