What is St. Johns Wort?

The name "St. John's wort" may indeed lead some Canadians to mistakenly believe that the plant is native to St. John's, Newfoundland, or other regions of Canada. In actuality, this plant is native to Asia and is an alien and invasive plant in Victoria, BC.

Why is St. John's Wort invasive?

Ecosystem Balance: St. John's Wort is an invasive species that can disrupt local ecosystems by outcompeting native plants for resources.

Soil Quality: This plant can alter soil chemistry, making it less hospitable for native plants.

Biodiversity Threat: As it spreads, St. John's Wort reduces biodiversity by taking over the habitats of native species.

Livestock Health: If ingested by livestock, it can cause health issues for animals like sheep, cows, and horses.

Prolific Seed Production: A single St. John's Wort plant can produce thousands of seeds in one season, allowing for quick expansion.

Propagation Speed: St. John's Wort reproduces rapidly, and a small infestation can quickly become overwhelming.

Garden Aesthetics: Overgrowth of St. John's Wort can negatively affect the overall look and appeal of your garden or landscape.

Resource Hog: St. John's Wort is a resource-intensive plant, hogging water and nutrients that could otherwise nourish a variety of native plants in your garden.

Chemical Secretion: St. John's Wort can inhibit the growth of other plants by releasing chemicals into the soil, damaging your garden's overall health.

Pest Attraction: St. John's Wort can attract specific pests, which can further harm other plants in your garden

Resistance to Control: If not addressed in the early stages, St. John's Wort can be difficult to control due to its deep root system and vast seed production, making removal a more challenging task.

Why is it crucial to remove St. John's Wort?

• A single St. John's Wort plant can turn into a patch containing thousands of plants
• St. John's Wort  spreads underground through a rapidly expanding system of stems which constantly sprouts new plants
• St. John's Wort produces extremely resilient growth that re-sprouts after cutting
• A single St. John's Wort plant produces over 3000 seeds per year
• St. John's Wort crowds out native species
• St. John's Wort infestations will get worse over time
• St. John's Wort can harm natural waterways
• St. John's Wort can spread to neighbouring property, causing legal disputes

Permanently removing St. John's Wort

Manual Removal: Manual removal is effective when the infestation is relatively small and new. After pulling, the plants should be disposed of carefully to prevent any seeds from spreading.

Mowing/Cutting: Regular mowing or cutting can help to control St. John's wort by preventing it from flowering and producing seeds. However, this method alone will not be entirely effective since the plant can still spread underground through its rhizomes. Mowing should be done consistently and repeatedly.

Treatment: When necessary, we employ eco-friendly treatments to eradicate St. John's wort.

Ascent Yard Care has permanently removed hundreds of St. Johns Wort infestations since our business was founded in 2017.

St. John's Wort removal cost

Contact us for a free in-person quote in Victoria, BC and Jake will provide an exact work order and quote.

Won’t the St. John's Wort just grow back?

In the worst infestations, up to 2 follow up visits may be necessary to completely eradicate re-growth. Most St. Johns Wort patches we service are completely and permanently removed in one visit.

Expert Help:

We care intensely about the success of each project. Contact us for a Free Quote.

Want to try removing St. John's Wort yourself? Follow these tips:

Pull St. John's Wort out from the roots

Effective for newer and smaller infestations, manual removal involves carefully uprooting the plants. It is crucial to dispose of the pulled plants responsibly to prevent any inadvertent spread of seeds.

Dig out the roots

Use a pickaxe or shovel to dig out the roots. Mature St. John's Wort roots can grow as deep as 3 feet downward.

Mowing

Periodic mowing or trimming can aid in controlling St. John's Wort by inhibiting its ability to flower and produce seeds. This strategy is not entirely foolproof as the plant can still propagate underground via its rhizomes. Consistency in mowing is key to its success.

Covering/Smothering

This method involves covering the infested area with a material that blocks sunlight like a tarp or a large opaque sheet of plastic. Without sunlight, the plants underneath will be unable to photosynthesize and will eventually die. This can be an effective way to control St. John's wort, especially in combination with other methods. However, it may not be practical for large infestations, and it can also impact other, non-target species in the area.

Be careful of spreading cuttings

Do not leave cuttings of St. John's Worton the ground. The cuttings will take root and sprout a new plant. It is very important to take the plant to a disposal facility or bag it in a plastic bag so further spreading does not occur.

Expert Help:

We care intensely about the success of each project. Contact us for a Free Quote.