Marsh St John’s Wort (Hypericum elodes) - Wildlife-Friendly Native Creeper for Acid, Damp Edges (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

A low, softly hairy UK-native of acid bogs and pond rims, Hypericum elodes forms gentle creeping mats of grey-green leaves dotted in summer with pale yellow, five-petalled flowers and a boss of golden stamens. Perfect for very shallow, permanently damp edges, it stitches gaps between stones, softens basket rims, and creates warm, protected shallows where amphibians and aquatic insects can move safely between water and land. Expect 5-15 cm in height with a spreading, rooting-at-nodes habit - easy to guide with a light trim. Best in acidic, low-nutrient conditions; think peat-free bog pockets, rain-fed rims and very shallow shelves (it’s not a deep-water plant).

Where it thrives

• Light: Full sun to light/partial shade (flowers best with some sun)

• Moisture/Zone: Pond collar / very shallow shelf; crown at water level or with 0-2(-5) cm water over the soil

• Soil: Prefers acidic, low-nutrient substrates; rainwater top-ups are ideal in hard-water areas

• Setting: Front-of-edge, rock crevices and basket rims; lovely with Cotton Grass, Bog Pimpernel, Creeping Jenny and small sedges

Planting & care

• Plant in a small mesh aquatic basket or bog pocket; top-dress with washed grit to prevent float.

• Trim after flowering to keep mats tight; peg runners or place small stones where you want coverage.

• Divide rooted pieces in spring/summer to refresh and extend planting; avoid fertilisers.

Safety (important & honest):
Ornamental use only - do not ingest. As with other St John’s wort species, ingestion can cause photosensitivity in livestock and may interact with medications in people; keep pets/livestock from grazing. Wash hands after pond work. Keep plant material and soil out of natural watercourses; never release garden plants into the wild.

Truth-first wildlife note:
Flowers are pollen-rich rather than nectar-heavy, supporting small bees and hoverflies. The key value is its low, knitted edge habitat - cool, shaded cover in the shallows for amphibians and invertebrates. Pair with nectar-forward natives to round out forage through the season.

Joel says…
“A gentle, silver-green stitcher for acid rims - quiet flowers, great habitat. Keep it shallow, rain-fed and peat-free, give it a quick trim after bloom, and let it quilt the edge.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ordering perennials between the months of October and March, including aquatic plants, please be aware that this is the dormant phase for perennials, so your plants may arrive showing potentially little or no top growth at this stage, or can in some cases still have some old leaves from last year showing also. Please don't worry, as this is all quite normal. Once the weather warms up in spring, you will start to see fresh growth and activity! If you ever have any concerns at all, please just message the team on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll always do our best to help.