I studied horticultural sciences at university and in my free time you can find me in my own patch of land, growing anything with roots. I am particularly passionate about self-sufficiency and seasonal food. Favourite fruit: quince, cornelian cherry and blueberries Favourite vegetables: peas, tomatoes and garlic
St. John’s wort (Hypericum) are popular perennials that can be found in many home gardens. Here is our helpful introduction to this ancient medicinal plant as well as tips on cultivation, care and use.
St. John’s wort is a widely known garden and medicinal plant. Read on to learn all about the properties of this plant as well as how to successfully cultivate St. John’s wort.
Transplanting an Aaron’s Beard plant can seem daunting but with some planning and care it can be done successfully. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about when and how to transplant this popular ornamental plant.
What is an Aaron’s Beard Plant?
Also known as Creeping St John’s Wort or Goldflower, Aaron’s Beard (Hypericum calycinum) is an easy-to-grow, cold-hardy perennial shrub It’s prized for its bright golden yellow blooms and adaptability to various soil conditions. Aaron’s Beard spreads vigorously and can serve as an attractive ground cover.
This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in zones 5-9. Once established, Aaron’s Beard is quite drought-tolerant. It grows 1-3 feet tall and spreads 24-36 inches wide. The green lance-shaped leaves provide nice texture, and the abundant summer flowers add cheerful color to the garden.
When is the Best Time to Transplant?
Timing is critical when transplanting Aaron’s Beard or any plant. You want to minimize stress on the plant while giving it the best chance to recover quickly in its new location.
The ideal time is in early spring, right after the last frost when the plant is just coming out of dormancy. Early spring temperatures are cool, encouraging root growth. Moisture levels are also higher during this time.
Another option is to transplant in early fall when the plant is winding down for winter. Fall temperatures are cooling down and the plant has time to settle before going dormant.
Avoid transplanting during summer heat or winter cold, as temperature extremes put a lot of stress on the plant. Transplant on a cloudy, calm day to prevent excess moisture loss.
How to Transplant Aaron’s Beard Step-By-Step
Follow these tips for safely moving your Aaron’s Beard to a new home in the garden:
Choose a New Site
Pick a location with full sun to part shade and well-draining soil. Clear any weeds or debris and prepare the soil by mixing in compost.
Position the plant at the same depth it was originally growing at. Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for future spreading.
Water Well in Advance
Water the plant thoroughly 1-2 days before transplanting. This will help keep the root ball intact. Avoid transplanting if the soil is sopping wet.
Dig Up the Plant Carefully
Use a shovel to dig a circle around the plant, keeping the root ball intact. The wider the root ball, the better.
Gently lift the plant from its hole and place it on a tarp or wheelbarrow. Knock off any loose soil and prune any broken roots.
Transplant Quickly
Move the Aaron’s Beard to its new hole as soon as possible. Place it at the same depth as before and backfill with native soil. Water deeply after planting.
Provide Aftercare
Water the transplanted plant regularly for several weeks until it is established. Add a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture. Stake the plant if needed while new roots develop.
Be Patient
It can take several months for an Aaron’s Beard plant to fully settle in and resume growing after transplanting. Don’t be alarmed if you notice some leaf yellowing or drop. With proper aftercare, it will acclimate to its new spot.
Transplanting Tips and Tricks
Here are some extra pointers to ensure transplanting success:
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Transplant on a cool, cloudy day to reduce stress.
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Dig a wide root ball and minimize root disturbance.
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Keep the plant well-watered before and after transplanting.
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Prune any broken roots, but don’t over-prune.
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Plant at the same depth and tamp soil gently around the root ball.
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Provide shade if transplanting during summer heat.
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Fertilize a few weeks after transplant once plant is recovering.
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Allow 1-2 years for the plant to fully establish before bloom.
By following these guidelines on timing and care, you can feel confident about transplanting your Aaron’s Beard plant. Pay close attention in the weeks after moving it to ensure it adjusts properly. With a little TLC, you’ll have your bright golden ground cover thriving once again.
How to grow St. John’s wort
Depending on the species, St. John’s wort has different requirements for its planting site but generally, it is undemanding and tolerates many locations. A good choice for St. John’s wort is a sunny to semi-shady spot with humus-rich, well-drained soil. Some species prefer acidic soil, while others like calcareous soil and water levels vary from moist to dry.
You can either buy St. John’s wort plants in perennial nurseries or sow and grow your own. They are light and cold germinators, meaning that the seeds need a long cold period at the beginning. Afterwards, cover them with little to no soil so they receive plenty of light to germinate. You can pre-treat the seeds in the fridge for 6 weeks and then sow them. Sow the elongated, red-brown seeds on low-nutrient growing soil, such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seeding Compost. Press the seeds down lightly and only slightly cover them with soil. Place the seed tray in a bright but not sunny spot at around 20°C and keep the soil moist. The first St. John’s wort seedlings will appear after 2 to 3 weeks. Alternatively, sow the seeds outdoors in autumn and leave them out in the cold. St. John’s wort has a high germination rate, so some seeds will certainly emerge in the following spring. The seedlings can be pricked out or transplanted after a few weeks.
- Perfect for herbs as well as sowing, propagating & transplanting
- For aromatic herbs & healthy seedlings with strong roots
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
The best time to plant hardy perennials is in late autumn between October and late November. Alternatively, they can be planted in early spring before the leaves emerge at the beginning of March. Young perennials that have not yet been able to form roots will need regular watering in summer. In the garden, St. John’s wort can be planted in groups or individually, and dwarf varieties can be planted as a ground cover. The planting distance for groups is about 40 cm, which is about 6 – 8 plants per square metre. For hypericum ground cover, use low-growing St. John’s wort species such as Aaron’s beard (Hypericum calycinum) and plant 12 – 15 per square metre. Larger growing varieties such as Golden Cup St. John’s wort (Hypericum x patulum or hypericum hidcote) need to be spaced 1.5 – 2 metres away from other plants. Here is how to plant St. John’s wort:
- Loosen the soil and work in some mature compost if necessary
- Dig a sufficiently large and deep planting hole
- Place St. John’s wort in the hole, fill with soil and press down lightly all around
- Give the plant plenty of water
St. John’s wort in a pot: St. John’s wort can be cultivated in a pot as long as the pot volume is at least 5 litres. It is important to have good water drainage and a 5 cm drainage layer of sand, gravel or expanded clay at the bottom of the pot. If kept outdoors in winter, provide the pot with insulation.
Summary: Planting St. John’s wort
- Sowing: indoors with cold treatment or outdoors in autumn
- Habitat: sun to partial shade
- Soil: humus-rich and well-drained; acidic or calcareous depending on species, moist to dry
- Time: October to November or beginning of March
- Planting distance: 40 cm (in groups), 1.5 – 2 m (individually), 12 – 15 plants/m2 (ground cover)
St. John’s wort propagation
St. John’s wort can be propagated by seeds and by cuttings. To collect St. John’s wort seeds yourself in autumn, gather the capsules or berries in October and leave them to dry at room temperature for a few weeks. Once the capsules are dry, the seeds will come out easily. St. John’s wort berries need to be broken open to release the seeds. The seeds can be stored in a dry, cool and dark place for several years without losing their germination capabilities.
To propagate from cuttings, take 10 cm long cuttings from the young shoot tips before flowering in May. Defoliate these shoots down to the tip and placed in low-nutrient growing soil with added sand. Place the planted cuttings in a well-lit room at about 20 °C and keep the soil moist. The first roots will form after a few weeks. Hypericum cuttings can be planted out in autumn of the same year.
Tip: the rootstock of deciduous perennials can also be divided. To do this, simply cut off a piece of the rootstock with a spade in autumn and transplant it.
The OTHER Best Time To Transplant Perennials
FAQ
How do you care for Aaron’s beard plant?
Is Aaron’s beard invasive?
What to do with St. John’s Wort plant?
How big do St John’s wort plants get?
How do you propagate Aaron’s Beard?
Aaron’s Beard can also be propagated through division, which is best done in early spring and as the plant awakes from dormancy. Dig it up, then divide the root ball equally and enough to fill a small pot. Add some soil and place in light shade, and water only when the top inch of the soil is dry.
How long does it take Aaron’s Beard to grow?
Keep the soil relatively moist and the cuttings in a brightly lit and shaded area. The cuttings should root in about two to four weeks. Aaron’s Beard can also be propagated through division, which is best done in early spring and as the plant awakes from dormancy. Dig it up, then divide the root ball equally and enough to fill a small pot.
Do Aaron’s beards need a lot of maintenance?
As you can see, Aaron’s beard is not a fussy plant and it requires really low maintenance after you plant it. They enjoy a broad range of soils, so all you need to do is to make sure you water the soil according to the soil type.
How do you care for Aaron’s Beard?
You can check the moisture of the soil by digging a trowel or your finger in the soil. If the first 2-4 inches are dry, you can start watering your plant. In the case of Aaron’s beard, the best watering tool to use is a soaker hose, so you can reduce water loss, while still being able to water your plant deeply.