Sunny Boulevard St. John's Wort

Sunny Boulevard St. John's Wort (Hypericum kalmianum 'Deppe')

Sunny Boulevard St. John's Wort is a compact shrub that delivers a long stretch of sunny color with a clean, reliable shape. Bright yellow summer flowers add a strong mid-season lift, while the narrow blue-green foliage keeps the plant looking refined before and after bloom. Its dense, mounding habit makes it easy to tuck into smaller beds without creating a tangled look. Once established, it handles typical garden conditions well and stays presentable with minimal upkeep.

Distinctive Features

This selection forms a dense, rounded mound with fine, willow-like blue-green leaves that add crisp texture in mixed plantings. In mid to late summer, it produces abundant yellow flowers with prominent stamens that attract pollinators and stand out against the cool-toned foliage. After flowering, small seed capsules can add subtle late-season texture, but the main appeal is the steady bloom and tidy habit. Mature size is commonly about 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, creating a compact shrub that is easy to place and repeat.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with best flowering and the tightest habit in full sun.
• Soil: Average, well-drained soil is ideal, and it tolerates a range of soils if drainage is reliable.
• Water: Water regularly during establishment, then provide occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 4 to 8.
• Mature Size: About 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
• Habit: Dense, rounded, mounding shrub with fine-textured foliage.
• Notable Traits: Long summer bloom window and good drought tolerance once established.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use the bright yellow summer bloom as a focal point near a walkway or patio where the flowers and pollinators are easy to enjoy.
• Foundation Planting: Place in front of taller shrubs to create a tidy mid-layer that stays proportional and well-branched.
• Border Planting: Repeat along sunny borders to create consistent mounds of fine texture and dependable summer color.
• Low Hedge: Plant in a loose line to form a compact flowering edge that looks clean without frequent trimming.
• Pollinator Garden: Include in sunny beds to support bees and other beneficial insects through the summer season.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist the first season, then water as needed during dry stretches.
• Mulching: Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from the stems.
• Pruning: Cut back in late winter to early spring to refresh the mound and encourage vigorous new growth and flowering.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in spring if needed, and avoid heavy fertilizing that can reduce flowering quality.
• Cleanup: Remove winter-damaged stems in spring to keep the plant dense and well-shaped.
• Drainage: Avoid persistently wet soils to support healthier foliage and better long-term performance.

Why Choose Sunny Boulevard St. John's Wort?

• Dependable Summer Color: Yellow flowers provide a strong mid-season display when many shrubs are finished.
• Compact, Tidy Habit: Dense mounding form stays neat and easy to place in smaller landscapes.
• Fine Foliage Texture: Blue-green leaves add a refined contrast that pairs well with broader-leaved plants.
• Pollinator Support: Flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects during summer.
• Often Deer Resistant: Frequently less preferred by deer, though browsing can still occur.

If you want a compact shrub that delivers long-season bloom and stays tidy with simple care, Sunny Boulevard St. John's Wort is an excellent fit. Plant it in sun to part shade with reliable drainage and provide consistent moisture while it establishes. With a straightforward spring cutback, it will keep returning with dense growth, bright flowers, and a clean look that supports the rest of the planting.