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Botanical name: Hypericum frondosum ‘Sunburst’
Beautiful bright yellow buttercup flowers with bushy stamens blanket the attractive oblong sea-green leaves in summer; widely adaptable but thrives in moist, well-drained soil.
| Hardiness zone | 4b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | yellow |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | upright spreading |
| Mature height | 4 feet |
| Spread | 4 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | dry to moist |
| Plant origin | North American native |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Sunburst St. John's Wort has masses of beautiful yellow buttercup flowers at the ends of the branches from mid summer to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has bluish-green foliage throughout the season. The oval leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Sunburst St. John's Wort is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Sunburst St. John's Wort is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting
Sunburst St. John's Wort will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Sunburst St. John's Wort makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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