How big does Goldencup St John's wort grow?

About 1.2 m × 1.3 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 0.6–1.5 m × 1–1.5 m.

What soil does Goldencup St John's wort grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, calcareous.

Is Goldencup St John's wort hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter everywhere at lower altitudes, but may not survive unprotected in a mountain garden.

How far from the house should Goldencup St John's wort be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Goldencup St John's wort flower?

Flowering: June–October, yellow.

How much water does Goldencup St John's wort need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Goldencup St John's wort

Hypericum patulum

Goldencup St John's wort (Hypericum patulum) is a shrub that reaches 1.2 m × 1.3 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €17.

Illustration of Goldencup St John's wort — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A dense, rounded, semi-evergreen shrub that carries large, golden-yellow, cup-shaped flowers from early summer into autumn, in sun or part shade. It is undemanding and copes with limy and fairly dry soil, it only dislikes waterlogging. In a hard winter it drops its leaves and the shoots may freeze back, but cut back hard in spring it regrows from the base and flowers the same year.

Watch out for

Hypericum rust can attack it: orange pustules under the leaves, yellowish-red spots above and early leaf drop. Hard pruning in spring and clearing fallen leaves helps a lot. In Central Europe the stems may freeze back in cold winters without snow cover; the plant resprouts from the base.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.2 m × 1.3 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–October, yellow

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.2 m × 1.3 m
Ultimate size	0.6–1.5 m × 1–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Calcareous
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Flowering	June–October, yellow
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €17

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €17

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs Low shrubs

Looks good next to it

Blue holly

Ilex × meserveae

Lenten rose

Helleborus orientalis

Willowleaf cotoneaster

Cotoneaster salicifolius