How to Grow Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny'
Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny'
Hypericum × inodorum 'Dart's Golden Penny'
shrubA compact ornamental shrub prized for its vibrant golden-yellow foliage and delicate star-shaped flowers followed by decorative berry-like fruits. This cultivar is a hybrid hypericum that combines attractive seasonal color with extended visual interest, making it an excellent choice for borders, containers, and landscape designs.
When should you plant Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny' in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny'
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 6-9, with some cold hardiness to zone 5b in protected locations
Sign up free to see if Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny' timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-8 weeks after plantingYoung plant developing root system and initial branch structure; foliage emerges with golden coloring
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates. Mulch around base to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Vegetative Growth
Spring through early summerShrub develops bushy form with increasing golden-yellow leaf coverage; stems become woody and structurally sound
Light pruning to encourage bushier growth. Remove any leggy or weak growth. Apply balanced fertilizer in spring. Monitor for pests.
Flowering
Mid-summer through early fall (June-September)Small, delicate star-shaped flowers in shades of white, pale yellow, or pink appear at branch tips; flowers typically have prominent stamens
Maintain moderate watering during bloom period. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage extended flowering if desired, though fruits are the main ornamental feature.
Fruit Development
Late summer through winter (August-February)Flowers transition to prominent berry-like fruits (technically capsules) that are orange, red, or burgundy depending on season and variety; fruits persist on branches
Reduce deadheading to allow fruits to fully develop. Fruits are ornamentally valuable and attract birds; avoid over-pruning to maintain fruit display.
Winter Dormancy
November-MarchFoliage may fade to bronzed or deeper tones; fruits persist and provide winter interest; growth slows significantly
Minimal watering required in cool climates. In zone 5b, provide mulch and shelter from harsh winds. Light pruning in early spring to remove dead wood and shape plant.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected foliage; apply fungicide if severe
-
Spray with water to dislodge; increase humidity around plant; use insecticidal soap if infestation is severe
-
Insecticidal soap or neem oil; yellow sticky traps; encourage natural predators
-
Prune heavily infested branches; apply horticultural oil in dormant season; remove manually if light infestation
Uses
Landscape Color & Seasonal Interest
OrnamentalThe vibrant golden-yellow foliage provides bright color from spring through fall, while the persistent fruits extend visual interest well into winter. This makes it valuable for year-round garden appeal and serves as a focal point in mixed borders or foundation plantings. [source]
Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements
CraftStems bearing the colorful fruits and delicate flowers are highly valued in the cut flower and floral design industry. They add texture, color, and movement to arrangements and dry beautifully for long-lasting displays. [source]
Bird & Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe flowers attract pollinators in summer, while the persistent berries provide food for birds throughout fall and winter, making this shrub valuable for supporting wildlife in gardens and landscapes. [source]
Container & Patio Growing
HouseholdThe compact, manageable size makes 'Dart's Golden Penny' ideal for container gardening on patios, balconies, and decks. Containers can be positioned to showcase the golden foliage and colorful fruits up close. [source]
Harvest Tips
This is an ornamental shrub not typically harvested for food. Cut stems with fruits and flowers are excellent for floral arrangements and dried arrangements; cut in late summer through fall when fruits are fully colored. Stems can be cut for indoor display and will last 2-3 weeks in water.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'Dart's Golden Penny' refers to the golden-yellow foliage that resembles small coins; it was bred in the Netherlands and named by the Dart Nursery
- 🌱 Hypericum berries have been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries, though this ornamental cultivar is not recommended for internal consumption
- 🌱 The fruits of hypericum can persist on branches for many months, providing color and wildlife food well into winter—a quality that makes this shrub increasingly popular in modern sustainable landscaping
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny' planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Hypericum 'Dart's Golden Penny' timeline →