Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - April 14, 2008
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Recommendation for variety of St. Johnswort (Hypericum spp.)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi. Can you please recommend a variety of St. Johnswort for my yard in the Texas Hill Country? The planting bed is on a southern side of the house, and is shielded from afternoon sun by a tree. The area is heavily browsed by deer. I have one St. Johnswort planted there which the deer do not eat, but don't know the variety. It is 2' tall with thin, woody stems and a somewhat informal growth habit. Also, it manages with no watering other than our standard rainfall. Thanks for any help you can offer.ANSWER:
Probably the most common St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)—the one that has been used extensively as an herbal medicine—is native to Europe. Since our focus and expertise here at the Wildflower Center is with plants native to North America, we can't really give you recommendations about non-native plants. We suggest you to talk to someone at a trusted local nursery about varieties of non-natives that do well locally. You can find a list of nurseries in the Austin area that sell native plants as well as non-native plants.On the other hand, there are several native species of Hypericum that are native to Texas and commercially available—e.g., Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort) and Hypericum hypericoides ssp. hypericoides (St. Andrew's cross). H. prolificum is on several lists for deer resistant plants (e.g., Deer Tolerant/Resistant Native Plants from Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in Pennsylvania) and Hypericum spp., in general, are listed on many deer resistant lists.
More Deer Resistant Questions
Need a smallish evergreen shrub that deer do not like, native to Colorado.
August 12, 2010 - I live south of Denver Colorado. I am looking for an evergreen shrub that doesn't grow wider than 3 feet and not taller than 4 to 5 feet - something that is native to Colorado or grows well here. (...
view the full question and answer
How to protect roses from deer browsing
July 04, 2012 - I would like to plant knock out roses but I am concerned the deer will eat them? Advice?
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant plants for wet area in northern California
July 10, 2010 - In Napa/Sonoma/Calif mountains, deer resistant plants, shrubs that tolerate much water and full sun? Area is in 'spring area' and a butterfly bush drowned. Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Is India Hawthorne a deer-resistant plant?
July 03, 2011 - Is India Hawthorne a deer resistant plant in Beaufort County South Carolina?
view the full question and answer
Junipers for restoring area in Bulverde TX
November 03, 2012 - Are ashe or virginiana junipers for sale around the hill country? I would like to recreate the natural plant life that was bulldozed next to my home. Do you recommend any other types of juniper that ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |