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St Johns Wort

12 years ago

I am planning a landscape makeover for the entrance to a local park next to my house. I am hoping to use mostly natice plants to central Maryland, along with a few things that are already there. The area is only 10.5' wide but over 80' long. I am looking for smaller shrubs, as there is a 4' chainlink fence on one side. The current landscaping is completely overgrown b/c it's never been trimmed.

I am considering using St Johns Wortand possibly virginia sweetspire and/or clethra. I've never used any of those before and want to know a little about them. Are any of them maintenance free (as can be)? Since this area is not in my yard, I want something that won't need to be prunned annually.

Comments (3)

fatamorgana2121
12 years ago
Do you mean St Johns wort as in Hypericum perforatum or one of the other Hypericums, since the common name is sometimes applied to other species? Hypericum perforatum is not native to North America and often is listed as a invasive species or noxious weed. Invasive Species listing for H. perforatum

Check out the link below for Maryland native plants....

FataMorgana

Here is a link that might be useful: Native Plants of Maryland
theresa2
12 years ago
Kalm's St John's Wort is native to the Midwest. I absolutely love this plant, but unfortunately it is not native to your neck of the woods. K-SJW is completely maintenance free and has beautiful yellow mid-summer flowers which the bees love. It is a small dense shrub with a nice tight globe form, maturing to about 3 feet tall and wide. It looks especially nice when massed.

New Jersey Tea is also nice. NJT grows to about 2.5 feet tall and wide. It gets interesting white flowers in early summer. It is a favorite for browsing by rabbit and deer so just keep that in mind with placement. No maintenance other than to trim out winter dieback which may not be an issue where you live.

Blue False Indigo, a herbaceous perennial, is very shrub-like in appearance. Annual cutting back of dead stems in spring would be all that's required

Consider planting Prairie Dropseed, a native grass to your area. Plant PDS 24 inches on center in rows or massed. It's a beautiful native with excellent form. It's not likely to reseed and is a well-behaved clump former. PDS has a soft fine texture and a fun popcorn aroma when in flower. No maintenance except removal of last year's growth in spring.
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I think early spring would be best, but after flowering would be second choice. We got a bunch of them donated for the GNPS sale and I had to whack them back hard. They responded well to that (Feb/Mar). The bark is very nice; this plant needs more exposure in the public. Maybe if I give bobbygil a small one he will upgrade my sandwich to a combo.
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I would love to have some of the flower seeds. Balloon Flower , Sunflower , Cosmos , Brown Eyed Susan, the others if available. Thanks much in advance I do have the following to trade. Peas , Tomato , Basil , Lettuce , Arugula , Fenugreek, Marigolds , Squash , Peppers , Peas , Melon , Pumpkin , Radish , Sweet Corn. I can be more specific about the kinds if you need any of it. Thanks much in advance.
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That sounds wonderful! I would appreciate it so much! I have tried to go online and find it also. Purchased some seeds, but they did not grow. :( Please let me know and I can send you something in return! Thank you in advance!
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Iris GW
12 years ago
It would help to know if the area is sunny, shady or part way in between. If it is sunny, is it sunny in the afternoon or just morning?

Hypericum - and there are several great native ones in cultivation - need mostly sun. Virginia sweetspire (Itea) would like protection from hot afternoon sun. Clethra can take almost anything, but likes a little moisture if possible. Unless you get 'Hummingbird', expect Clethra to get big.

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