Rose-of-Sharon
Hypericum calycinum, family Hypericaceae
A spreading shrub with bright yellow flowers, grown for ground cover and gardens
Rose-of-Sharon (Hypericum calycinum) is a low, evergreen shrub from the Strandzha Mountains near the Black Sea in Bulgaria and Turkey. Its large yellow blooms and dense foliage make it a popular garden ground cover, and it spreads quickly by underground stems. The plant is also known for its use in traditional remedies and its appeal to pollinators.
- Native to the Strandzha Mountains near the Black Sea
- Bright yellow flowers bloom from June to September
- Spreads by underground stems and used as ground cover
- Traditional remedy for muscle spasms and asthma
- Attracts bees and resists many pests
What does Rose-of-Sharon look like?
Rose-of-Sharon is a low, spreading shrub that stays green through the year. It grows up to a metre tall and can reach twice as wide. The leaves are oval, paired along the stems, and change from bright green in sun to lighter yellow-green in shade, with a blue-green underside. In autumn, the leaves may turn purple. The plant is best known for its large, five-petalled yellow flowers, each with a cluster of long yellow stamens, blooming singly or in small groups from early to late summer.
Where does Rose-of-Sharon come from?
This shrub grows wild in the Strandzha Mountains, a region along the Black Sea coast shared by Bulgaria and Turkey. Over time, it has been taken up by gardeners in many other places, especially for its ability to cover ground and its showy flowers. The plant is sometimes called St. John's wort, a name linked to old customs of burning Hypericum plants on St. John's Day to ward off harm. Its scientific name, calycinum, refers to the flower's large calyx, the outer part that protects the bud.
When and how Rose-of-Sharon blooms
Rose-of-Sharon blooms from June to September. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, but it can adapt to different soil types. The plant spreads by stolons, which are underground stems, making it effective for covering slopes or bare ground. Gardeners often trim it back in spring to keep it tidy. It is grown from nursery stock and is valued for its low maintenance.
How Rose-of-Sharon is used
People grow this shrub mainly for its bright flowers and dense foliage, which make it useful as a ground cover or for stabilizing soil. In some places, it is used in landscaping and gardens. The plant has a history of use in traditional remedies, especially for easing muscle spasms and asthma. Bees visit the flowers for pollen, and the plant's pigments help defend it from pests.
Kinds of Rose-of-Sharon
There are several named varieties and hybrids of Rose-of-Sharon, bred for garden use. While the name 'Rose of Sharon' in North America often refers to a different plant (Hibiscus syriacus), in Britain and Australia it means Hypericum calycinum. Some cultivars are chosen for their growth habit or flower size.
What Rose-of-Sharon means
The plant is linked to the old European tradition of burning Hypericum on St. John's Day, which gave rise to the name St. John's wort. Its flowers attract pollinators and its pigments help protect it from insects. In some regions, it can spread aggressively and is considered invasive. Research has found that it produces compounds similar to those in other Hypericum species, with possible medicinal effects.
Where Rose-of-Sharon is used and seen
Questions people ask about Rose-of-Sharon
Where does Rose-of-Sharon come from?
It grows wild in the Strandzha Mountains, a region along the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria and Turkey.
What does the plant look like?
It is a low, spreading shrub with oval green leaves and large, five-petalled yellow flowers that bloom in summer.
How is Rose-of-Sharon used?
It is grown as a ground cover in gardens and landscapes, and has been used in traditional remedies for muscle spasms and asthma.
Is it the same as the North American Rose of Sharon?
No, in North America 'Rose of Sharon' usually means Hibiscus syriacus, a different plant.
What does it symbolize or mean?
The name St. John's wort comes from the tradition of burning Hypericum plants on St. John's Day to ward off evil.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Hypericum calycinumRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Hypericum calycinum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hypericum calycinum", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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