About
Hypericum olympicum, Mount Olympus St John's wort, is a dwarf, deciduous sub-shrub to 25 cm with upright stems crowded with small, ovate, grey-green leaves. Flowers to 5 cm across in bright yellow are produced in small clusters in summer. A showy and reliable alpine St John's wort for a sunny, well-drained rock garden.
About the genus
Hypericum, the St John's worts, are annuals, perennials, shrubs or trees, evergreen or deciduous, with usually paired leaves and showy, five-petalled, yellow flowers with prominent stamens, followed by capsular or berry-like fruits. An enormously versatile genus for sun and shade in well-drained soils.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen, Semi evergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toChina (Sichuan, Guizhou)
ToxicityFruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil or moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings (greenwood) or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust and honey fungus (rarely)