Hypericum calycinum
Aaron's Beard
Common names: Rose of Sharon, Great St. John's Wort
Photo: Franz Xaver · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Hypericum calycinum, also known as Aaron's Beard, is an evergreen subshrub that spreads through creeping stolons to form dense, knee-deep carpets. From June to September, it produces large, bright yellow sepals with a prominent cluster of stamens in the center. Unlike St. John's Wort, this species is not used as a medicinal plant, but rather valued as a robust groundcover. It tolerates drought, root pressure, and partial shade under trees remarkably well. However, like other Hypericum species, it contains substances that make it slightly toxic: all parts are not edible, and contact with sensitive skin can cause irritation and redness, especially in strong sunlight.
Care instructions
Plant Hypericum calycinum in the spring, around mid-April to early May, with a spacing of 30-40 cm to allow the stolons to form a closed carpet. A well-draining, moderately fertile soil is sufficient; water regularly in the first few weeks after planting, and then the plant can tolerate longer dry periods. Cut back the plant in early spring, around late February to March, to maintain compactness and promote dense, even regrowth. Since the stolons spread widely, a root barrier or edging may be necessary to contain the area. As an understory planting or for slope stabilization, it requires minimal maintenance thereafter.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lean, dry, sandy
Feeding
Light feeder
Pruning
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