What is it?

[Fairy Claire]

Hi, can you help a gardening novice please?

I'm trying to find out what this plant is, what's wrong with it and how I can sort it out? I'm pretty sure that its leaves haven't always been like this, but there's another one further up the garden which seems to be the same.

Thanks so much!

[Scarlet]

Looks like frost damage to me.

[Two_Sheds]

I was thinking St Johns Wort, but I can't see much from the photo, sorry. Can you do some close ups, esp of the berries? And one from a few feet away, showing the whole plant?

[rana]

Yes I'd say it was Hypericum (Rose of Sharon) also as TS says called St Johns Wort

[Two_Sheds]

That's two votes for hypericum then. If it is, it's hardy so is OK outside even in frost. Just give it a good hard prune and tidy up

[vicky]

Hypericum from me too, I cut mine right down about 3 inches from the ground this time of year

[Flummery]

Hypericums are only one of the plants that have had a hard time this year. Some of our village beds now look like rows of sticks as some things (Ceanothus for instance) have had to be hard chopped back. If it survived it will be fine after a haircut. The flowers are worth it, lovely yellow ones, and some varieties have good brown/red berries too.

[Fairy Claire]

Hi All, thanks so much for your help and advice. Shall give it a good prune then and hopefully it'll look a bit happier.

Many thanks again!

Claire
xx

[Polly Fouracre]

And don't let it seed or, like me, you'll be digging it up for evermore!!

[vegnut]

I'd agree with everyone else, it does look very much like an hypericum with frost damage. It'll thank you for a short back and sides.