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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Clusiaceae (Guttiferae; including Hypericaceae) |
| Origin: Mediterranean (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Synonyms: [H. heterostylum, Triadenia maritima] |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Hypericum aegypticum (Dwarf St. John's Wort) - Often described as a 4 to 12 inch plant though we find that while very slow growing, this plant will grow to be a small shrub 18 to 36 inches tall by about as wide and have been told by a gardener in Lodi California that her 25 year old plant is closer to 4 feet tall. It has ½ inch long elliptical blue-green leaves with 1 inch wide starry yellow flowers that are solitary but are arranged closely along the branches. Plant in full sun to part shade. Drought tolerant and frost hardy to at least 24 degrees. We received cuttings of this plant from local plantsmen John Bleck, who has had this plant growing in his Goleta yard for many years. His plant, in a foundation planting, is 24 inches tall by about 12 inches wide. It comes from the cliffs and rocks near the Mediterranean Sea - in North African it can be found in Algeria, Libya and Morocco and in Southeastern Europe in Greece (Crete, Ionian Islands and Peloponnese), Italy (Sardinia and Sicily) and Malta. A great little plant for a container, a tight spot or in the rock garden. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'hyper' mening "above" and 'eikon', meaning "icon" or "image". In ancient times, the yellow flowers of some species were placed above images to ward off evil spirits, and according to legend, Satan pierced the leaves in revenge. The specific epithet means from Egypt, though this plant seems to be more widespread than this.
The information provided on this page is based on the research we have conducted about this plant in our nursery library, from what we have found about it on reliable online sources, as well as from observations of our nursery crops of this plant as well as of plants growing in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens. We also will incorporate comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Hypericum aegypticum. |
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