Dotted St. John's Wort

About Dotted St. John's Wort

Dotted St. John's Wort is a resilient and fascinating native perennial that brings a touch of wild beauty to diverse garden settings. Growing about 1 to 3 feet tall, it is most easily distinguished from its relatives by the tiny black dots and streaks found on its yellow flower petals and the undersides of its leaves. These dots are actually glands that contain essential oils. From July to September, it produces tight clusters of star-shaped yellow flowers that are a favorite of many native bees. Native to a wide range of habitats including prairies, savannas, and woodland edges across eastern North America, it is a highly adaptable species. It is notably deer-resistant due to the mild toxicity of its foliage, making it a great choice for areas with high herbivore pressure. Dotted St. John's Wort thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers medium to medium-dry soils. Its ability to grow in a variety of conditions makes it an excellent candidate for meadow restorations or naturalized garden borders where a tough, pollinator-friendly plant is needed.