There are many varieties. I planted 3 types in the yard this year.
I planted this native next to the mailbox for John. This plant is supposed to be a compact shrub (2-3 feet), deer resistant, and tolerate poor rocky soil conditions.
I chose this native plant because there was some growing in the SMRA butterfly garden. This is another compact shrub. The plant person at Rosedale Nursery told me it preferred "swampy" conditions, so I planted it the front bed next to the ligularia. It's near the hose so I can water it regularly.
Stonework in the front yard caused this plant to be dug up in March, 2023. The roots are still tightly compacted like it's been in a pot the whole time. I will replant it and see if it survives.
Update, June 8, 2023. The plant looks to be doing great. ( see photo)
I got a few of these smaller ground cover plants. I don't think these are natives, but I wanted to fill out the area around the shrubbier St. John's Wort by the mailbox and bought a bundle of 5 of them. I planted two of these by the mailbox, two more in the upper rock garden in the front yard, and have a fifth plant I will overwinter in a pot indoors and decide where to put it in the spring.
The two in the picture by the mailbox seem to have not survived the winter. The one I potted and kept in the house all winter looks great.
Update May 17, 2025: The Creeping St John's worts are definitely creeping around and spreading in the bowling ball planting area. The two larger plants I put out in September 2022 are still alive, still compact, but doing fine. I also dumped out a 500 pack of St. John's wort seeds next to the Golden St. John's wort plant in the birch tree garden in May 2023. Two years later, these are spreading all around the area.
More of my Plants List
Lynn Salmon <>{
