paintbrush

Also known as: very fruitful St John's wort

A deciduous shrub to 1m tall, forming a mound of arching stems bearing dark green, lance-shaped leaves, and in midsummer, bright yellow flowers with a large, central boss of stamens. Mature plants develop main stems with peeling brown bark

Scientific classification

Species: paintbrush (Hypericum prolificum)
Genus: Hypericum
Family: Hypericaceae

Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Shrubs
Plant type: 1-1.5 metres
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

paintbrush pictures

Distribution of paintbrush

Distribution map

North America

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of paintbrush

Information to be completed

paintbrush care guide

Moderate watering, tolerates slight dryness once established
Watering: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate watering, tolerates slight dryness once established

Fertilizing

Light balanced feed in spring

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.