Hypericum densiflorum ‘Creel’s Gold Star’

Hypericum densiflorum ‘Creel’s Gold Star’ is a distinctive selection of bushy St. John’s wort, a native shrub found naturally across much of the eastern United States. It forms a dense, rounded to slightly arching plant with slender stems and attractive green foliage. The stems develop warm copper tones, while older branches can develop exfoliating bark that adds interest during the dormant season.

From midsummer into early fall, ‘Creel’s Gold Star’ produces an abundance of bright yellow, star-shaped flowers. The flowers are held in clusters above the foliage and are attractive to bees and other pollinators. After flowering, the plant develops small capsule-like fruits, while the foliage can develop golden-yellow coloration in autumn.

This is an adaptable and relatively low-maintenance shrub that performs well in full sun to partial shade. Full sun encourages the heaviest flowering and a dense, compact habit, while the plant can also tolerate some shade. It prefers well-drained soil but is adaptable to clay, sandy, and loamy soils and is notably tolerant of drought once established.

‘Creel’s Gold Star’ is particularly useful in native and pollinator gardens, shrub borders, informal hedges, rain gardens, slopes, and naturalized plantings. Its combination of summer flowers, attractive stems, fall color, and adaptability makes it a useful native shrub for a wide range of landscape conditions.

Mature Size: 3–5′ tall × 3–5′ wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
USDA Zones: 5–9
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained; adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils
Water: Average; drought tolerant once established
Flower: Bright yellow, midsummer through early fall
Foliage: Green, with golden-yellow fall color
Habit: Dense, rounded, slightly arching
Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies
Uses: Native gardens, pollinator gardens, borders, slopes, naturalized plantings, rain gardens, and informal hedges