Hey garden lovers! I’ve been growing Sunny Boulevard St. John’s Wort in my garden for several seasons now, and I just gotta tell you – this shrub is an absolute game-changer for summer color! If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant that’ll give you tons of cheerful yellow blooms when other plants are wilting in the heat, you’re gonna love this one.
What Makes Sunny Boulevard So Special?
Let me break down why this Proven Winners variety has become one of my go-to plants
- Long-lasting blooms – These babies flower from July through September (that’s 3 whole months of color!)
- Perfect size – Grows into a nice, tidy mound about 2-3 feet tall and wide
- Super tough – Handles heat, drought, and even those pesky deer like a champ
- North American native – Great for supporting local ecosystems
- Award winner – Scored a Blue Ribbon at UC Davis Landscape Irrigation Trials
Growing Requirements
Here’s what your Sunny Boulevard needs to thrive
Light & Location
- Full sun is best (6+ hours daily)
- Can handle some partial shade but might bloom less
- Works great in:
- Garden borders
- Mass plantings
- Foundation plantings
- Container gardens
Soil & Water
- Any well-drained soil works fine
- Average moisture needs
- Pretty drought-tolerant once established
- Don’t let it sit in wet soil
Climate
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-8
- Handles both cold winters and hot summers like a boss
- Perfect for those tough spots where other plants struggle
Tips for Growing Success
I’ve learned a few tricks for keeping my Sunny Boulevard looking its best:
-
Planting
- Space plants 2-3 feet apart
- Keep 18-24 inches away from foundations
- Plant in spring or early fall for best results
-
Maintenance
- Prune after flowering if needed
- Feed with balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Mulch roots for winter protection in cold areas
-
Common Uses
- Create informal hedges
- Mix with other summer bloomers
- Use as container “thrillers”
- Plant in groups for major impact
Why I Love This Plant
Look, I’ve tried lots of flowering shrubs over the years, but Sunny Boulevard really stands out. Here’s why:
- It’s practically bulletproof – perfect for busy gardeners
- Provides color when many other plants are fading
- Attracts bees and other pollinators
- Looks great with practically everything
- Requires minimal fussing to look amazing
Companion Plants
Wanna make your Sunny Boulevard look even better? Try pairing it with:
- Daylilies
- Coneflowers
- Ornamental grasses
- Rudbeckia
- Native prairie plants
Common Questions I Get About Sunny Boulevard
Q: Will deer eat it?
A: Nope! This is one of those rare plants that deer usually leave alone.
Q: How often should I water?
A: Just keep it moist the first season. After that, it’s pretty drought-tolerant.
Q: Do I need to prune it?
A: Only if you want to control the shape – it naturally stays pretty tidy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a reliable, long-blooming shrub that won’t drive you crazy with maintenance, Sunny Boulevard St. John’s Wort is your plant! It’s been a total winner in my garden, and I bet it’ll be in yours too.
Just remember to give it enough sun, decent drainage, and a little love in spring, and it’ll reward you with months of gorgeous yellow blooms. Trust me, your summer garden will thank you!
Pro tip: Grab these plants early in the season – they tend to sell out fast at garden centers!
Now get out there and start planting! And don’t forget to drop me a comment if you’ve got any questions about growing Sunny Boulevard in your garden. Happy gardening, folks!
Hypericum kalmianum ‘Deppe’ SUNNY BOULEVARD St. John’s Wort (Hypericum kalmianum ‘Deppe’ SUNNY BOULEVARD) is an easy-to-grow perennial with bright golden blooms and a preference for full sun. In summer and fall, it is covered in clusters of yellow and orange star-like flowers. The foliage is dark green and mound-shaped, and the deer-resistant plant grows to 12-18 inches tall. It works well in containers, as a color accent, and at the front of a border. Prune it back lightly to encourage a fresh appearance. St. John’s Wort’s leaves and flowers are medicinal, and it has been used for centuries for various healing purposes. It’s an excellent plant for sunny locations and makes an excellent addition to any garden.
St. Johns wort (Hypericum kalmianum Deppe SUNNY BOULEVARD) should be watered thoroughly and deeply about once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Make sure the pot has proper drainage, and never let the plant stand in water which can cause root rot. During the peak of summer, water may be needed a bit more often, making sure that the soil does not dry out completely. In winter, reduce watering frequency and water only when the soil feels dry.
St. Johns wort (Hypericum kalmianum Deppe SUNNY BOULEVARD) is best-suited for locations that receive full sun from morning to mid-afternoon. This variety of Hypericum enjoys long days of sunlight, typically 6 to 8 hours per day. The flowering shrub typically prefers 6 to 8 hours of sunlight during the growing season, which stretches from mid-spring to late summer. For optimal growth and flowering, St. John’s wort should be placed in a sunny spot in the garden that receives direct sunlight but is protected from hot afternoon sun. During the hottest parts of the day, the plant should be shielded from the sun with a light shade net or canopy. Once established, plants should be watered regularly and pruned in late winter to encourage new growth.
St. Johns wort (Hypericum kalmianum Deppe SUNNY BOULEVARD) should be pruned just before new growth begins in the spring. Depending on the size of the shrub, deadheading can be performed by shearing or with finer tools such as hand-clippers. When pruning, remove spent flowers and branches that have outgrown their allotted space. Do not cut back actively growing branches more than 1/3 of their length. Doing so will inhibit flowering and growth. After pruning, ensure that the plant is given adequate water and fertilizer for an enhanced flowering performance throughout the season.