Norton’s St. Johnswort: A Native Western Wildflower Worth Knowing
If you’re passionate about native plants and love discovering the lesser-known gems of North America’s flora, Norton’s St. Johnswort (Hypericum scouleri nortoniae) might just pique your interest. This perennial wildflower belongs to the diverse St. Johnswort family and calls the western regions of North America home.
What Exactly Is Norton’s St. Johnswort?
Norton’s St. Johnswort is a native perennial forb – essentially a non-woody flowering plant that comes back year after year. As a member of the Hypericum family, it shares characteristics with other St. Johnsworts but represents a specific subspecies with its own unique traits. You might also encounter this plant referenced by its historical names, including Hypericum formosum var. nortoniae or simply Hypericum nortoniae in older botanical literature.
Where Does It Call Home?
This hardy native has quite an impressive range across western North America. You’ll find Norton’s St. Johnswort growing naturally throughout:
- British Columbia
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
This extensive native range speaks to the plant’s adaptability and resilience across diverse western landscapes, from mountain meadows to prairie edges.
Why Consider Norton’s St. Johnswort for Your Garden?
As a native species, Norton’s St. Johnswort offers several compelling reasons to include it in your landscape:
- Native heritage: Supporting local ecosystems by choosing plants that naturally belong in your region
- Perennial reliability: Once established, this hardy perennial returns year after year
- Low maintenance potential: Native plants typically require less water and care once established
- Ecological value: Native plants generally provide better support for local wildlife than non-native alternatives
The Growing Challenge
Here’s where we need to be honest – Norton’s St. Johnswort falls into that category of native plants that hasn’t received much attention in horticultural circles. Specific information about growing conditions, care requirements, and garden performance is quite limited. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for adventurous native plant gardeners.
What We Know About Growing Norton’s St. Johnswort
While detailed cultivation information is scarce, we can make some educated assumptions based on its native habitat and plant characteristics:
- Climate adaptation: Given its wide western range, it likely tolerates various climate conditions typical of western North America
- Soil preferences: As a native wildflower, it probably thrives in well-draining soils
- Water needs: Likely drought-tolerant once established, typical of many western natives
- Sun requirements: Most St. Johnsworts prefer full sun to partial shade
The Bottom Line for Gardeners
Norton’s St. Johnswort represents an intriguing choice for dedicated native plant enthusiasts, particularly those in western regions where it naturally occurs. However, the limited availability of cultivation information means growing this plant would be somewhat experimental.
If you’re interested in adding St. Johnswort characteristics to your native garden, you might also consider researching other Hypericum species native to your specific area that may have more established cultivation practices.
Finding Norton’s St. Johnswort
Due to its specialized nature, Norton’s St. Johnswort may not be readily available at typical nurseries. Your best bet would be:
- Specialty native plant nurseries in western states
- Native plant societies and their plant sales
- Botanical gardens with native plant programs
- Seed exchanges focused on native species
Remember, when sourcing any native plant, it’s crucial to ensure you’re getting locally appropriate genetics – plants sourced from your region will perform better than those from distant populations.
Norton’s St. Johnswort may not be the easiest native plant to grow, but for those passionate about preserving and cultivating North America’s native flora, it represents a worthy challenge and a chance to support local biodiversity in your own backyard.
