Brushy Mountain St. Johnswort: A Rare North Carolina Native Worth Protecting
Meet Brushy Mountain St. Johnswort (Hypericum radfordiorum), also known as Radford’s St. Johnswort – a botanical treasure that’s as rare as it is beautiful. This little-known native perennial is one of North Carolina’s most endangered wildflowers, making it a plant that deserves our attention and protection.
A True North Carolina Endemic
Brushy Mountain St. Johnswort is exclusively native to North Carolina, where it clings to existence in the state’s mountainous regions. This perennial forb – that’s botanical speak for a non-woody flowering plant – represents the kind of unique biodiversity that makes our native flora so special.
Why This Plant Needs Our Help
Here’s where things get serious: Hypericum radfordiorum has a Global Conservation Status of S2, meaning it’s imperiled. With typically only 6 to 20 known occurrences and fewer than 1,000 to 3,000 remaining individuals, this species is extremely vulnerable to extinction. That rarity makes it both precious and challenging for home gardeners to obtain.
What Makes It Special
Despite its precarious status, Brushy Mountain St. Johnswort offers several appealing qualities:
- Bright yellow flowers that bloom in summer, typical of the beloved St. Johnswort family
- Low-growing perennial habit that works well in specialized garden settings
- Attracts small native pollinators like bees and flies
- Represents millions of years of evolution unique to North Carolina’s mountains
Growing Conditions and Care
If you’re fortunate enough to obtain responsibly sourced plants, Brushy Mountain St. Johnswort thrives in conditions that mimic its mountain habitat:
- Light: Partial shade to full sun
- Soil: Well-drained soils are essential
- Hardiness: Zones 6-8, perfect for North Carolina’s climate
- Maintenance: Minimal care once established
Best Garden Settings
This rare beauty works best in:
- Rock gardens that provide excellent drainage
- Native plant collections focused on conservation
- Specialized wildflower gardens
- Educational or botanical displays
The Responsible Approach
Given its imperiled status, we strongly recommend planting Brushy Mountain St. Johnswort only if you can source it responsibly. This means:
- Never collecting plants from the wild
- Purchasing only from reputable native plant nurseries with proper permits
- Participating in legitimate conservation programs
- Supporting habitat protection efforts in North Carolina
Supporting Conservation
Even if you can’t grow this rare gem in your garden, you can still help by supporting organizations working to protect North Carolina’s native plant habitats. Consider planting other native St. Johnswort species that are more common and readily available, while advocating for the protection of wild spaces where Brushy Mountain St. Johnswort still survives.
Sometimes the most beautiful gardens are the wild places we choose to preserve.
