Whether your garden is large or small, made up of beds or pots, we all need fuss-free shrubs to help give our gardens “good bones” or structure. But what if you could have a shrub that does triple duty? Got your attention? Let us introduce you to FloralBerry®, a spectacular collection of St. John’s Worts, and a Monrovia exclusive.
What is St. John's Wort (Hypericum)?
First a bit of 4-1-1 about St. John’s Wort (Hypericum). It is a small shrub that’s hardy to zones 5–9 and that shines across seasons. Spring through fall the dense, leafy form makes it ideal for the middle layer of a border. Or, in a container, or anchoring a perennial bed. Summer brings yellow saucer-shaped blooms that bees adore. In fall, it sports richly-hued berries.
We want to make sure you're growing your beautiful plants confidently. Therefore, before we dive into the five spectacular FloralBerry® options, let's cover the basics of growing St. John's Wort.
The FloralBerry® series of St. John’s Wort was bred for the cut flower industry. That’s why they have such showy, consistently colored berries. The shrubs are rust-resistant and well-branched which makes them wonderful in the garden, or as cut stems for home decorating.
How to Grow St. John's Wort
How to water St. John's Wort
- Widely adaptable to most well-drained soils; does not tolerate soggy soils.
- Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system.
- Water weekly once established.
- Tolerates some dry shade when established.
- Mulch to maintain soil moisture and prevent weeds.
How to fertilize St. John's Wort
- Apply a layer of compost in spring.
- Apply controlled-release fertilizer in spring and periodically through the growing season. Use the label instructions and use them accordingly to prevent over-fertilizing.
How to prune St. John's Wort
- St. John's Wort blooms on new wood so will benefit from pruning every year.
- Prune back in late winter to early spring before new growth appears. Leave the berries for the birds (and visual interest) through the winter.
- Prune lightly to shape young plants.
- Mature plants can be pruned down to a third of the size. Just be sure to cut above the lowest node.
- Prune for shape and health, removing dead, crossing, or damaged branches.
- If you have a St. John's Wort plant that hasn't been pruned in years, give it a good pruning. This will likely bring it back to life, and reward you with prolific blooms and berries.
What's different about FloralBerry® St. John’s Wort?
First, because these shrubs were bred especially for the cut flower trade, they produce abundant berries on longer stems. This makes them ideal for fall and winter flower arrangements.
Second, the intense color of berries you'll find on your shrub is remarkable. (Yellow, red, pink, cream, peachy depending on the variety).
Finally, as in the case of Sangria, the leaf color can have a distinct, bold shade.
Fall can be a quiet time in the garden. Although there is no need to just sit back and watch it fade to black! Plant a few of these colorful, easy-to-grow shrubs for their beauty, berries, and to feed wintering birds.
5 Beautiful FloralBerry® Shrubs to Choose From (Zones 5-9)
FloralBerry® Sangria
St. John’s Wort
As if the blood-red berries weren’t showy enough, the glossy leaves are deep-red on the underside. Perfect in a pot. Tuck berried stems into vases of fall mums or the last of the panicle hydrangeas. Up to 3′ tall and wide.
FloralBerry® Champagne
St. John’s Wort
Clusters of creamy-white berries in fall follow soft-yellow summer flowers. Wonderful as a low hedge. Picture berried stems in a vase of red garden roses or roadside-gathered yellow goldenrod! Up to 3′ tall and wide.
FloralBerry®
Chardonnay
St. John’s Wort
Brilliant yellow berries (like really yellow!) and dark-green glossy foliage look spectacular with purple or burgundy foliage or flowers. In fall, add cut stems to pumpkins used as flower vases. Up to 3′ tall and wide.
FloralBerry®
Rosé
St. John’s Wort
How soft and romantic are those deep-rose-colored berries! This variety looks so good with ornamental grasses that bloom pink in fall. Use in an arrangement of fall-blooming anemones and Joe Pye weed. Up to 3′ fall and wide.
FloralBerry®
Pinot
St. John’s Wort
Buttercup-yellow flowers that bloom in summer are the ideal match for a stand of coneflowers or black-eyed Susans. In fall, these are laden with deep-pink-to-red berries (add to a vase of colorful leaves for a WOW combo). Up to 3′ tall and wide.
Learn More About How to Grow and Use St. John's Wort in the Garden
Looking to add FloralBerry® St. John's Wort to your garden? Use the Find a Garden Center tool to find your nearest Monrovia retailer.
- Explore all five FloralBerry® options here.
- Get the"Simply Beautiful" design guide, to learn how St. John's Wort fits into a straightforward approach to garden design
- Fall's Fruiting Shrubs
- Fresh Plant and Color Combos for Fall Containers
- 7 Shrubs for Fall-into-Winter Containers
- The Garden in a Vase: August
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