Hypericum calycinum 'Brigadoon'
Common: St. John's wortHypericum calycinum ' Brigadoon' - 72 per flat
- Height: 15"-18"
- Spread: 24"
- Spacing: 12"
- Hardiness Zone(s): 5-7
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Plant Details
A bright new foliage color for shady sites! Golden yellow, oval leaves with reddish edges support 2" gold flowers with pincushion-like center clustered stamens in late spring and early summer. You will hardly notice the flowers in the sea of gold foliage. This plant is most content in cooler areas away from drying winter winds, although once established it is quite tough.
Characteristics & Attributes
Exposure
- Part Sun
Soil Moisture Needs
- Average
- Moist
Plug Type
- Horticultural Plug
For Animals
- Songbird-friendly
- Deer Resistant
Attributes
- Evergreen
- Ornamental Foliage
- Groundcover
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Summer
- Late Summer
Propagation Type
- Vegetative
Care & Maintenance
In our experience, 'Brigadoon' performs best in rich, moist soils and partial shade, and may burn in the full summer sun of zone 7. 'Brigadoon' is stoloniferous and may be propagated by seed, division or terminal cuttings. Prune old wood in late winter to promote new flush of leaf color. Easy to grow and low maintenance. Best used as a groundcover or in mass plantings.
Interesting Notes
The value of Hypericum calycinum is the ability to provide an attractive semi-evergreen groundcover that is dense but not invasive. It is able to tolerate a wide variety of situations from poor to sandy to compacted soils, heat, drought, and different pH levels; Aaron’s beard is great for anywhere you would like a low-maintenance groundcover. The perennial grows 12”-18” tall and spreads up to 24” wide.
Originally from Southeast Europe and parts of Asia Minor, Hypericum calycinum grows best in loose, well-drained soils in full to partial sun. As with most plants, more sunlight increases flower production. Flowers are 5-petaled yellow flowers growing 2” in diameter. Related to the St. John’s wort with medicinal properties, this species is considered medically insignificant.
Perfect for use as a groundcover or in mass plantings, it is suggested that the plant be sheared back in winter to promote new growth in colder climates. H. calycinum is semi-evergreen in Southern regions but can also be mowed in late winter to rejuvenate the plant. The plant is most content in cooler areas away from drying winter winds but is quite tough once established. Aaron’s beard comes highly recommended by plantsman, Dr. Allan Armitage.
RE: Sun exposure - we have had success with this plant in full sun when the soil is kept moist but not sopping. It can wither or burn in direct exposure to the hot afternoon sun. The sweet spot for 'Brigadoon' is either dappled light throughout the day, or, if full sun exposure, it has just a few straight hours in the morning. The golden foliage thrives best when those light conditions are observed and when the soil is kept evenly moist. Its hardier parent, H. calycinum, can take full sun exposure including afternoon sun.