QuestionsHow to growTrees and ShrubsPruningSt. John’s wort 0 Vote Up Vote Down Bridin Gunning asked 14 years ago I have a few mature plants of st. john’s worth, however they appear to be badly damaged after the winter. There are a few shoots on 2 of them, the rest are just brown. Should i cut them back . 1 Answers 0 Vote Up Vote Down Gerry Daly Staff answered 7 years ago On shrubs that have been damaged, wait until there are signs of new growth and cut back just above the topmost new shoots.