Hypericum hircinum

RHS Plant Profile
stinking St John's wort

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stinking St John's wort Dorling Kindersley Ltd
stinking St John's wort Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Other common names

stinking tutsan

Shrubs

A medium-sized, semi-evergreen shrub with many upright and spreading stems from the base, bearing paired, narrowly oval, pointed leaves. The yellow flowers, up to 4cm across, have narrow petals and a central starburst of long stamens

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Hypericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Hypericum can be annuals, perennials, shrubs or trees, evergreen or deciduous, with usually paired leaves and showy yellow flowers with prominent stamens, followed by capsules, occasionally berry-like
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe Asia Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust and honey fungus (rarely)