Native to western China, this bushy, rounded, semi-evergreen shrub is a member of the Hypericaceae plant family, best known for the herb, H. perforatum (common St. John’s wort). The plant grows up to 3′ tall and has arching stems carrying ovate to narrow-ovate leaves up to 2.5″ long. The leaves are bluish-green before turning bright red in the fall. From summer to fall, clusters of up to 11 golden yellow flowers appear. Each flower is is 2.5″ across, and has 5 slightly reflexed petals, 5 showy styles, and numerous prominent yellow stamens arranged in 5 bundles. The flowers give way to attractive red berry-like capsules that persist into winter. The long season interest of this shrub makes it a good choice for borders, woodland margins, and naturalized areas. The genus name, Hypericum, is from the ancient Greek words ὑπέρ (hupér) meaning over, and ἐρείκη (ereíkē) meaning heath. The specific epithet, kouytchense, refers to Guizhou, a mountainous province in southwestern China known for its biodiversity.
Type: Flowering, semi-deciduous shrub
Outstanding Features: Flowers, foliage and fruit
Form: Mound
Growth Rate: Slow
Bloom: Clusters of 5 petaled golden flowers with prominent styles and stamens, from summer to fall
Size: 2-3′ H x 3-5′ W
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Average, consistently moist, well-drained; tolerates some drought
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: Generally healthy but susceptible to rust and honey fungus
Propagation: Semi-hardwood cuttings
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen Meyers