How many folks are growing Hypericum hypericoides (St. Andrew’s cross)? The name translates to hypericum that looks like a hypericum….duuuh. We love this native shrub which hails from New Jersey southwest to Texas. St. Andrew’s cross typically matures at 2.5′ tall x 5′ wide and adorned from May through September with small, light yellow flowers, which form an “x”, hence the common name.
In the wild, Hypericum hypericoides is usually found in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline sandy soils, often in pine savannas, but in cultivation, they seem quite adaptable to an array of garden conditions from sun to part sun. In form, it resembles a Helleri holly with yellow flowers. The photo below is a 2 1/2. year old plant at JLBG. Winter hardiness should be Zone 6a-8b at least.
Is this hypericum available in your nursery? How about a mondo called Crystal Falls?
We have not offered this hypericum yet, but it will be put in the production pipeline shortly. Crystal Falls mondo is a green leaf clone of Ophiopogon jaburan. We occasionally offer the striped leaf cultivar Ophiopogon jaburan ‘Vittatus’, but have not offered ‘Crystal Falls’.