Olympic St. John's-wort

Native range — Southern Europe, Asia Minor.

A semi-shrub 15–35 cm tall and 20–30 cm wide. The root system is strong but not deep. Leaves are linear-elliptic, glaucous. Flowers large (up to 5 cm in diameter), yellow, arranged in terminal semi-umbels. Blooms in July–August. In cultivation since 1706. Easily propagated by seed; no pre-sowing treatment required. Seedlings are small but develop rapidly. Flowering begins in the 2nd–3rd year.

Propagated vegetatively by division and by basal cuttings; divide in spring. Does not require transplanting for many years but tolerates it easily. Undemanding as to soil, but prefers loamy soils. Requires a sunny position; it does not flower in shaded or cold locations. Drought-tolerant; does not tolerate waterlogging. Hardy in winter with good drainage. Well suited for urban landscaping.