Hypericum mutilum, commonly known as Dwarf St. John’s Wort, is an herbaceous plant that can behave as an annual or short-lived perennial. It is native to moist habitats such as wet meadows, stream banks, and pond margins across the eastern United States and parts of Canada. This species typically grows up to 24 inches tall and features multibranched erect stems with small, opposite, gland-covered leaves that give the plant a delicate texture. From mid-summer to early fall, Dwarf St. John’s Wort produces clusters of tiny, star-shaped golden-yellow flowers in a compound cyme inflorescence, which are attractive to various pollinators.

Dwarf St. John’s Wort is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, water features, and naturalized areas where it can help stabilize soil and provide habitat for wildlife. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil. While it is not particularly drought-tolerant, it can tolerate occasional flooding. This plant is relatively low-maintenance, but it can self-seed prolifically under ideal conditions, which may be considered a benefit or a drawback depending on the gardener’s intent. It is not known for serious pest or disease problems, but wet conditions can sometimes lead to fungal issues.CC BY-SA 4.0