St John's Wort Seeds (Hypericum perforatum)

A graceful, perennial wildflower, known for its vivid golden-yellow blossoms. A striking presence in meadows, hedgerows, edges, and floral margins, it offers mid-to-late summer interest and useful ecological value for pollinators.

Key Features:

• Bright, star-like yellow blooms, flowering from June through September
• Elegant growth adding vertical presence in a wildflower meadow
• Fresh flowers used in healing oils and leaves used in salads
• Supports many pollinators such as bees, hoverflies and butterflies
  
• Approx. 8000 seeds per 1g

St John’s Wort is a quietly striking perennial wildflower, instantly recognisable in midsummer by its star-shaped, golden-yellow flowers and elegant upright stems. The foliage is fine and lightly aromatic, with narrow, oval leaves that appear to be dotted with tiny perforations when held to the light, one of the plant’s most distinctive features and the origin of its common name.

With it's history of being used as a herbal medicine, this wildflower has a range of uses, including being an edible flower, with its fresh flowers and raw leaves being used in fresh salads or herbal teas.

Flowering begins in early summer and continues well into September, with each plant producing multiple stems of bright blooms, often speckled at the edges with tiny black dots. Once established, it is long-lived, returning reliably each year with minimal input. While it will occasionally self-seed, it is not aggressive, and it tends to sit harmoniously within a wider mix of native species.

As well as being beautiful, St John’s Wort is valuable for pollinators, offering a sustained source of nectar and pollen throughout the warmer months. It's especially attractive to bees, hoverflies and butterflies, who weave among its airy stems as the season progresses.

For best results, sow St John’s Wort either in early spring (March to May) or in autumn (August to October). Autumn sowing often gives seeds the advantage of natural soil stratification and can encourage earlier germination the following year.

Start by preparing a fine, firm, well‑worked seedbed, free from weeds and competition, removing any existing vegetation and rake to a fine tilth, then lightly firm. Scatter the seed evenly across the surface, then gently press or roll to ensure good seed-to-soil contact, avoiding deep covering.

Once established, St John’s Wort is relatively low maintenance, it tolerates summer dryness and does not demand rich soils.

For garden applications direct sow at 1g/m2. For overseeding existing meadow planting or for new sowings on larger areas sow at a maximum of 2g/m2.

St John’s Wort suits meadow borders, mixed perennial wildflower swards, hedgerow banks, roadside verges, and restoration schemes. Its golden flowers attract bees, hoverflies, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout summer. The structure also provides perching and habitat opportunities for smaller insects. By adding its form and colour, it enriches the seasonal tapestry of wildflower planting.

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Q1: Will St John’s Wort spread aggressively?

A: It spreads moderately via seed and vegetative shoots, but is not generally considered invasive in appropriate wildflower or meadow settings.

Q2: Is this species edible?

A: Yes, with it's fresh flowers used for herbal oils, can also be eaten raw as well as it's fresh leaves which can be used in salads for example. Although avoid consumption if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Q3: When does it flower and for how long?

A: You'll be able to appreciate these vibrant flowers from June to September.

Q4: Can I mix it into a meadow wildflower mix, or should I sow it separately?

A: You can integrate it into a meadow mix, though because of its taller erect habit and deep root, it’s wise to ensure compatibility with slower-growing perennials and moderate fertility.