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Reduce St John’s wort footprint

tim87djh1NgmRAitim87djh1NgmRAi Posts: 5
in Plants
I have a St John’s wort bush that takes up about a 6 ft diameter space in a small garden. I’d like to reduce its footprint and free up space for other plants, but if possible not completely remove it. Is it possible to cut and dig out say 2/3 of the bush and roots or is it likely to kill it? 

Posts

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    It should be possible if you do it carefully . It’s quite a hardy plant .
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
    You could just prune it to the size you want, they are usually tough.
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Yes, you can cut them right back and they'll bounce back as @Bright star says. You can also raise the crown by taking lower branches out, and make them into mini trees - that gives more light and the potential for under planting. 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Which 'St John's Wort' are we discussing? 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    As @nutcutlet says, there are many types, both shrubs and perennials, and management would be different.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited March 2023
    @tim87djh1NgmRAi Hypericum Hicote can be cut back now. It is also an opportunity to thin out some of the old stems. I have cut this one back to about 18 inches no problem. The correct advice is to a strong pair of buds but it doesn't seem that important. A very old specimen may take time to recover especially if we have another very dry summer. If you live further North to me worth waiting a few weeks.
    You might be able to split some of it from the edge and replant elsewhere but it may affect the shape.  The bit in the middle is the oldest. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    The shruuby one with berries is Ok (to me jsut OK).  The other one is invasive by runners and seed.  And to me a horrible brassy yellow.  Best pull it all out.  The wild one is worth encouraging.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @tim87djh1NgmRAi You have a small garden so every plant has to earn it's keep and every space is an opportunity. If it dominates the garden and is a very old shrub that needs alot of renovation it may be worth starting again. The soil will be spent so improving it before planting anything else. It is also a good idea not to replace with another Hypericum in the same spot. As vigour and ability to settle might be a problem. You will also need to water anything new through the growing season if it is dry again.

    However it will recover from being pruned as I suggested, a very old plant may be dead in the middle but over time new growth will cover this area.
    I grow H indorium Magical Universe one of many new introductions at the GC's.

    I am assuming that your is Hidcote or similar.



    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • tim87djh1NgmRAitim87djh1NgmRAi Posts: 5
    Thanks all, I think it’s a hidcote and quite old so we’ll probably take it out altogether.
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