Hypericum frondosum
Golden St. John's-wort · Golden St John's-wort · Cedarglade St. Johnswort
Description
Source: leafsnapHypericum frondosum, commonly known as Golden St. John's Wort, is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Hypericaceae family. Native to the eastern United States, it can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide. The plant features a dense, bushy habit with upright stems covered in small green leaves. In early summer, Hypericum frondosum produces clusters of bright yellow flowers, each with five petals and about an inch in diameter. These flowers attract bees and butterflies, and ultimately give way to small capsules containing numerous seeds. Golden St. John's Wort prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil, but it can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including clay. While it is drought-tolerant once established, the plant benefits from regular watering during extended dry spells. The plant has medicinal properties, thanks to its content of hypericin, which has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for depression, anxiety, nerve pain, and insomnia, among other conditions. Hypericum frondosum is an excellent choice for borders or mass plantings due to its attractive foliage year-round and showy yellow flowers in summer, making it a valuable addition to any garden landscape design.
Care Guide
💧 Water Every 7 days
Cedarglade St. John's Wort flourishes in dry, rocky environments and can tolerate moderate drought conditions. This plant requires well-drained soil and benefits from deep watering every one to two weeks. It's best grown outdoors, and applying mulch can help retain moisture while preventing waterlogging.
How should I water my Cedarglade St. John's wort plant?
Watering your Cedarglade St. John's wort is quite flexible, as you can use various common watering tools such as watering cans, hoses, or even cups. When watering, it's important to apply the water directly to the soil, making sure all areas are evenly moistened to provide sufficient water to the entire root system. Using filtered water can be helpful as tap water may contain harmful particles. Additionally, it's best to use water that is at or slightly above room temperature to prevent shocking the plant. However, the Cedarglade St. John's wort generally responds well to any type of water you provide.
What should I do if I give my Cedarglade St. John's wort plant too much or too little water?
When it comes to outdoor plants, especially new ones or seedlings, they can easily become dry if not watered properly. For small or newly planted trees, make sure to water them consistently for a few months. Once the roots are established, Cedarglade St. John's wort can rely on rainwater most of the time. When you have Cedarglade St. John's wort in pots, overwatering is a common issue. If you accidentally overwater your plant, act quickly to remedy the situation. Stop watering your plant immediately to minimize the impact. Take the plant out of its pot to check the roots. If there is no sign of root rot, you can put it back in the pot. If you find root rot, trim away the affected roots and apply a fungicide to prevent further damage. Lastly, repot the Cedarglade St. John's wort in well-draining soil. On the other hand, if you underwater the Cedarglade St. John's wort, simply increase the frequency of watering. Underwatering is easier to fix; the plant's leaves will droop, dry out, and fall off. Once you water it sufficiently, the leaves will regain their fullness. It's important to correct your watering frequency as soon as you notice the plant is underwatered.
How often do I need to water my Cedarglade St. John's wort plant?
Most plants can grow naturally with rainfall, but if your area lacks rainfall, you should water them every 2 weeks during the spring and fall. In the summer, they will need more frequent watering, while in the winter, they need less water. For young or newly planted Cedarglade St. John's wort, you should water more frequently to help it establish and grow. For potted plants, you have two options for determining how often to water your Cedarglade St. John's wort. The first option is to set a predetermined watering schedule, such as once a week or once every other week. However, this may not always work considering the unique conditions of your plant's growing environment. The second option is to water based on soil moisture. Wait until the top two to four inches of soil have completely dried out before watering again. This approach is especially important during the summer when the plant's water needs are highest.
How much water does my Cedarglade St. John's wort plant need?
When watering your Cedarglade St. John's wort, you don't always need to use a lot of water. If only a few inches of soil have dried since the last watering, give the plant about five to ten ounces of water each time. You can also determine how much water to give based on the soil moisture. Pay attention to how many inches of soil have dried out. To ensure the plant gets enough moisture, water it until all the dry soil layers are moistened. If more than half of the soil is dry, give more water until it starts to drain from the pot's holes. If the plant is located in an outdoor area that receives sufficient rainfall, additional watering may not be necessary. For young or newly established plants, provide 1-2 inches of rain per week. As the plant matures, it can rely on rainwater, except in hot weather with no rainfall for 2-3 weeks, when a full watering should be considered to prevent stress.
How can I know if I'm giving enough water to my Cedarglade St. John's wort plant?
If you notice signs of overwatering in your Cedarglade St. John's wort, such as yellowing leaves or leaf drop, it is a common issue that can harm the plant's overall structure and cause root rot. Similarly, an underwatered Cedarglade St. John's wort may wilt and have brown or brittle leaves. Regardless of whether your plant shows signs of overwatering or underwatering, it's important to intervene and restore its health.
☀️ Light Full sun
Cedarglade St. John's wort comes from open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, which offer abundant light. It does best in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to a range of sunlight conditions.
What are the sunlight requirements for Cedarglade St. John's wort?
Cedarglade St. John's Wort thrives in environments that provide full sun, defined as above 6 hours of sunlight, but it can also tolerate partial sun, which is about 3-6 hours of sunlight daily. Originating from sunny meadows and forest edges, this plant adapts well to various sunlight conditions. It's important to observe your garden's pattern of sunlight and shade to ensure that you choose the best spot for your plants, making them happy and healthy.
How do you provide adequate lighting for indoor Cedarglade St. John's wort?
For indoor Cedarglade St. John's wort, adequate lighting is essential, especially when natural sunlight is insufficient. Artificial lighting can be a vital solution. LED lights are recommended due to their ability to provide specific wavelengths needed for optimal plant growth. Full sun plants require 30-50W/sq ft of light, partial sun plants need 20-30W/sq ft, and full shade plants need 10-20W/sq ft. The artificial light source should be placed 12-36 inches above the plant to mimic natural sunlight, and the plants most often need 8-12 hours of light per day.
What are the symptoms of light deficiency in Cedarglade St. John's wort?
When Cedarglade St. John's wort is placed in suboptimal lighting conditions, it may display symptoms such as smaller new leaves, leggy or sparse growth, faster leaf drop, slower or halted new growth, lighter-colored new leaves, indicating insufficient sunlight. Additionally, it may suffer from chlorosis, where leaves turn yellow due to a breakdown of chlorophyll, sunscald indicating damage from intense sunlight, leaf curling as a defense against excessive sunlight, wilting due to loss of water, and leaf scorching showing brown, dry edges on leaves caused by excessive sunlight.
How can you address inadequate sunlight exposure for Cedarglade St. John's wort?
To improve light exposure for Cedarglade St. John's wort, gradually move your plants to a sunnier location, allowing them to adapt by increasing their exposure each week. For indoor plants, utilize a south-facing window and keep curtains open during the day or consider using artificial light, such as desk or ceiling lamps for at least 8 hours daily. For outdoor plants, avoid sudden changes in light intensity to prevent sunburn. Observe your environment to identify and minimize obstructions to sunlight, and for small plants, consider transplanting during their dormant period to a location with ample sunlight and good drainage. Keep in mind that while parts of the plant that suffered from insufficient light may not recover, new growth should be healthy with improved light exposure.
🌡️ Temperature 5–35°C
Cedarglade St. John's wort is highly adaptable to a wide range of climates, from blistering summers to cold winters. Still, it has a specific temperature range that is best for growth. If temperatures become too high, the plant can suffer from heat and humidity stress, which may lead to its death. In areas where temperatures approach the lower limit of its cold tolerance, it is necessary to provide insulation to protect the plant.
What is the botanical name of Cedarglade St. John's wort?
Cedarglade St. John's wort is botanically known as Hypericum frondosum.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer
The timing of fertilization is important for Cedarglade St. John's wort. Apply fertilizer in early spring and then every month through early summer. Fertilizer encourages attractive blooms and supplies energy both during dormant periods and in times of active growth.
Why should I use fertilizer on my Cedarglade St. John's wort?
Regular fertilization is important for all types of Cedarglade St. John's wort plants. It helps promote overall plant health by providing the necessary nutrients for vigorous growth. This also helps the plant become more resilient to challenging growing conditions and improves its ability to fight off diseases and pests. The foliage of Cedarglade St. John's wort is particularly attractive, so it's important to maintain its integrity. This can be achieved by following a regular fertilization schedule tailored specifically to your plant. By doing so, you can enjoy deep-colored leaves and an overall lush appearance.
When should I fertilize my Cedarglade St. John's wort for the best results?
To ensure healthy growth, it is recommended to fertilize your Cedarglade St. John's wort for the first time in late winter or early spring. This will provide the necessary nutrients for the plant to thrive when the weather becomes warmer. If you live in a warm climate region, it can also be beneficial to fertilize again in early fall. This additional feeding will supply nutrients for the following growing season and help the plant withstand the winter without foliage damage. Fertilizing earlier in the fall will allow the new branches to grow and withstand the cold winter conditions.
When is the best time to not put fertilizer on my Cedarglade St. John's wort?
There are specific times when you should avoid fertilizing your Cedarglade St. John's wort. The first is in the winter, when the plant is dormant and doesn't need any nutrients. It's also not recommended to fertilize it during late spring and summer, as the weather is hotter and drier, which can negatively affect the plant. To prevent any problems, it's best to follow a fertilization schedule and only feed the plant in early spring and early fall.
What kind of fertilizer does my Cedarglade St. John's wort require?
The most important nutrient for a Cedarglade St. John's wort is usually nitrogen, but that doesn't mean that phosphorus and potassium are not important. All three main nutrients are necessary for the plant's health, so a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 can be effective. However, a more specific nutrient ratio can lead to optimal growth. Typically, fertilizers with higher nitrogen content, like a 10-6-4 ratio, work well. You can choose between granular or liquid fertilizers when applying them.
How do I give plant food to my Cedarglade St. John's wort plant?
To fertilize your Cedarglade St. John's wort, you have two options: granular fertilizer or liquid fertilizer. For granular fertilizer, simply sprinkle it on the soil at the right time. The nutrients in the granular fertilizer will slowly release into the soil over time. Before applying the granular fertilizer, it's a good idea to lightly water your Cedarglade St. John's wort. Alternatively, you can use liquid fertilizer, although this is not as common. To use liquid fertilizer, mix it with water and pour the mixture onto the soil around the base of your Cedarglade St. John's wort. If you're unsure whether you need to adjust the pH of the soil, it can be helpful to perform a soil test before fertilizing.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
The Cedarglade St. John's Wort is recognized for its vibrant yellow flowers and dense growth. To maintain its health and encourage new blooms, it's best to prune it from early to late winter. Start by thinning out the older stems and removing any spent flowers. Cutting back one-third of the oldest stems will help improve air circulation and ensure healthy growth in the coming seasons.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Hypericum
- Family
- Hypericaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 5-9
- Mature Height
- 0.91 m to 1.22 m
- Mature Spread
- 0.91 m to 1.22 m
- Leaf Color
- Green, Blue
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen, Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Gold, Yellow
- Flower Size
- 2.54 cm to 7.62 cm
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Fall