Square-stemmed St John’s Wort (Hypericum tetrapterum) - Wildlife-Friendly Native for Damp Edges (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

A neat UK-native of wet meadows and pond rims, Hypericum tetrapterum carries bright yellow, five-petalled flowers through midsummer, held on distinctive square, lightly winged stems (the “four wings” the name refers to). Clump-forming shoots stitch moist ground, softening the pond collar and providing low cover and pathways for amphibians and invertebrates. Flowers offer accessible pollen for a range of small bees and hoverflies. Expect around 30-60 cm in bloom with a tidy footprint and modest spread - an easy, naturalistic partner for other natives at the rim. Best in consistently moist to wet soil; it’s not a submerged plant.

Where it thrives

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

• Moisture/Zone: Pond collar / bog in moist-wet soil; keep the crown just above water level (do not submerge)

• Setting: Damp borders, naturalised pond rims and meadow-style mixes

Planting & care

• Plant in peat-free bog/pond-edge compost or moisture-retentive soil; mulch to hold moisture

• Shear or deadhead after the main flush to tidy and promote fresh growth

• Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring to refresh and extend planting

• Allow light self-seeding if you want a wilder look; lift extras easily from gravel

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 gardening. Keep plant material and soil out of natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
Flowers are pollen-rich rather than nectar-heavy, supporting small bees and hoverflies in high summer. Combine with nectar-forward natives to provide a fuller forage ladder while Hypericum supplies low cover and seasonal colour.

Joel says…
“Clean yellow stars, distinctive square stems, and a well-behaved habit at the edge - easy to place and genuinely useful. Keep it moist, trim after bloom, and let it sit with your other natives.”

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.