Hypericum frondosum Sunburst - St. John's Wort

Hypericum frondosum 'Sunburst' is a well-known and appreciated cultivar of St. John's Wort that forms a dense, compact, and upright bush. In summer, its large golden-yellow flowers and clusters of dark red fruits bring life to its beautiful glossy blue-green leaves. The mature stems exfoliate from cinnamon to purple. All these features make it a plant of enduring interest for many months. It thrives in full sun or partial shade in borders, rockeries, edges, or even in a container on the terrace.

The 'Sunburst' St. John's Wort belongs to the family of Clusiaceae. It originates from the species Hypericum frondosum, native to the central and southeastern United States. St. John's Wort forms compact bushes that flower abundantly from the first year in the garden and bear fruits generously and regularly. The 'Sunburst' cultivar reaches a mature size of 90cm to 1.20m in all directions depending on the growing conditions. It has a dense and rounded habit, with a spreading port supported by reddish to purplish stems. The stems bear long, semi-evergreen to evergreen, entire leaves. These elongated, pointed, leathery leaves are a beautiful dark bluish-green, turning reddish under the influence of winter cold. It flowers for almost four months of the year, from June-July to September-October, with a break during the hottest weeks. The flowers, produced abundantly, are 5cm in diameter and composed of 5 rounded, golden-yellow petals arranged in an open cup. The centre of the flower is occupied by a crown of protruding, orangish stamens. This flowering is followed by the formation of a few conical fruits that turn red and brown when ripe.

St. John's Wort is appreciated for its very long flowering period and its ease of cultivation in all types of soil and under all climates, even by the seaside and in shade. If you like yellow flowers, 'Sunburst' is one of the small bushes to plant in a brand new garden, even if you are a beginner in gardening. It excels in low shrub borders or perennial beds, but also on the terrace or balcony, planted in a large pot. For example, it can be combined with summer-flowering perennials such as flamboyant Crocosmias, Agastaches, Echinops, and Rudbeckia. Also consider foliage plants such as Euphorbias or Physocarpus. Its long-lasting flowers and fruit-laden branches can be used in floral arrangements.