Culture
Can be grown in moist, average, sandy or slightly rocky, well-draining soils in full sun. Known to be hardy in Zones 5-8, but is not widely used in horticulture. Exact hardiness could vary.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hypericum buckleyi, commonly known as Buckley's St. John's wort, is a small, prostrate, deciduous shrub native to the southern Appalachian Mountains where it can be found growing in seeps, moist rock crevices, and roadside embankments. The thin branches (up to 18" long) grow slightly upward but remain close to the ground, rooting into nearby soil and forming a dense, rounded mat (up to 10" tall). The oblong to elliptic leaves, up to 1" long by 0.5" wide, are held close to the stems. Bright, yellow flowers, 0.75-1" across, bloom from early to mid summer at the terminal ends of the stems, mostly solitary but occasionally in clusters up to five.
Genus name comes from the Greek words hyper meaning "above" and eikon meaning "picture" in reference to the practice of hanging flowers from this genus above images, pictures or windows.
The specific epithet buckleyi, also sometimes seen as buckleii, honors Samuel B. Buckley (1809-1884), an American naturalist who specialized in the flora and geology of the southern United States.
Problems
No major insect pest or disease issues are known to affect this plant in cultivation, but poorly drained soils can lead to root rot.
Uses
Rock gardens, path edges, or other sunny garden areas with well-draining soil.