Scientific Name
Hypericum balearicum L.
Common Name(s)
Majorca St. John's Wort, Warty St. John's Wort
Synonym(s)
Ascyrum glandulosum, Hypericum verrucosum, Psorophytum balearicum, Psorophytum undulatum
Scientific Classification
Family: Hypericaceae
Genus: Hypericum
Flower
Color: Golden yellow
Bloom Time: Summer to late fall
Description
Hypericum balearicum is a shrub or small tree that grows up to 6.6 feet (2 m) tall. It usually forms a rounded bush with erect or ascending branches. Its stems are glandular and warty, yellow-green when young, becoming reddish-brown as it ages. Leaves are green and up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long. Flowers are up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) across, with five golden-yellow petals (rarely pale yellow) and rounded sepals, with involucre-like bracts.

Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 8a to 11b: from 10 °F (−12.2 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 or 6 to 10 and have a partially shaded site, you can probably grow St. John's Wort. The plant isn't particular about the soil type. It grows well in sand, clay, rocky soil, or loam and tolerates acidic to slightly alkaline pH.
St. John's Wort adapts to both moist and dry soil and even tolerates occasional flooding. It also withstands drought but grows best with irrigation during prolonged dry spells. You won't find a plant that will thrive in more situations.
Growing St. John's Wort herb in a location with too much sun can lead to leaf scorch, while too much shade reduces the number of flowers. The best location is one with bright morning sunlight and a little shade in the hottest part of the afternoon.
If your soil isn't particularly fertile, prepare the bed before transplanting. Spread about 2 inches (5 cm) of compost or rotted manure over the area and dig it to a depth of at least 8 inches (20 cm). Transplant the shrubs into the garden, setting them at the height they grew in their containers. They grow only 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm) tall with a spread of 1.5 to 2 feet (45 to 60 cm), so space them 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) apart. Water slowly and deeply after planting and keep the soil moist until the transplants are well-established.
See more at How to Grow and Care for St. John's Wort.
Origin
This species is native to Spain's Balearic Islands.
Links
- Back to genus Hypericum
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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