Hypericum

The genus St. John's wort (Hypericum) includes about 400 perennial species: herbaceous, semi-shrub (with a lignified stem at the base) and shrubby. The most common is St. John's wort calyx (Hypericum calycinum) - a groundcover perennial plant that originated from Southern Europe and Asia Minor. It grows quickly thanks to thin creeping stems, from the nodes of which leaves and roots appear, resulting in dense carpets. The opposite oblong-elliptical leaves grow very thickly on green shoots, which eventually turn chestnut in cold climates. colors. Young leaves that appear are slightly bronzed, and then they become bright green on the upper side and slightly lighter on the lower side. On the tops of green shoots in the period from June to September, golden-yellow single, less often paired, flowers with five petals and many very lush stamens bloom. St. John's wort (H. coris) is a perennial herb with small, light golden-yellow flowers used in stony gardens. St. John's wort (H. elatum) is a shrubby species with yellow flowers. St. John's wort (H. patulum) is an evergreen species with golden yellow leaves. flowers; the 'Hidkot' variety is widely distributed with many large flowers. St. John's wort moserianum (H. x moserianum) - an evergreen hybrid obtained by crossing St. John's wort calyx (H. calycinum) and rejected (H. patulum) and is a very good groundcover plant; characterized by large flowers of rich yellow color. St. John's wort (H. polyphyllum) is a shrubby species with golden flowers, the buds of which have a red tint.

The genus St. John's wort (Hypericum) includes about 400 perennial species: herbaceous, semi-shrub (with a lignified stem at the base) and shrubby. The most common is St. John's wort calyx (Hypericum calycinum) - a groundcover perennial plant that originated from Southern Europe and Asia Minor. It grows quickly thanks to thin creeping stems, from the nodes of which leaves and roots appear, resulting in dense carpets. The opposite oblong-elliptical leaves grow very thickly on green shoots, which eventually turn chestnut in cold climates. colors. Young leaves that appear are slightly bronzed, and then they become bright green on the upper side and slightly lighter on the lower side. On the tops of green shoots in the period from June to September, golden-yellow single, less often paired, flowers with five petals and many very lush stamens bloom. St. John's wort (H. coris) is a perennial herb with small, light golden-yellow flowers used in stony gardens. St. John's wort (H. elatum) is a shrubby species with yellow flowers. St. John's wort (H. patulum) is an evergreen species with golden yellow leaves. flowers; the 'Hidkot' variety is widely distributed with many large flowers. St. John's wort moserianum (H. x moserianum) - an evergreen hybrid obtained by crossing St. John's wort calyx (H. calycinum) and rejected (H. patulum) and is a very good groundcover plant; characterized by large flowers of rich yellow color. St. John's wort (H. polyphyllum) is a shrubby species with golden flowers, the buds of which have a red tint.

Cultivation

St. John's wort is an open-ground plant cultivated at an early stage in pots, after which it is planted in the garden. For its foliage and magnificent flowering, St. John's wort is widely used as a groundcover plant for flower beds and borders. It can be planted in any land - even sparse and stony. Due to its ability to grow and therefore hold the soil together, it is widely used to strengthen slopes.

Location

Light-loving, it is good to grow both in the open sun and in a partially shaded place.

Temperature

St. John's wort is an extremely resistant plant that can withstand temperatures down to -10 °C. Even if the twigs and leaves die off, then later new shoots will appear at the base of the plant. With the increase in summer temperatures, there are also no problems. And the optimal temperature is in the range of 15-25 °C.

Watering

Not required as the plant is extremely drought tolerant.

Care

St. John's wort is recommended in a year, in late winter or early spring, to check for the presence of browned branches and leaves and in this case cut off at the root. This operation favors the formation of new shoots.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, bush division and petioles. In spring, cuttings 5 cm long are taken from the main shoots; they are placed for rooting in the soil - a mixture of sand and peat, taken in equal parts, in a cool place. Soon the roots appear. Seedlings are planted singly in pots and kept in winter, if possible in a place protected from the cold. Next spring, they are planted in a permanent place. St. John's wort calyx can also be propagated by dividing the bush - in October or April. In shrubby species in the period from July to September, cuttings with part of the bearing branch are taken from the side non-flowering shoots. 10 cm long. It is rooted in a cool place, and transplanted the next spring.

Diseases

The main disease of St. John's wort is rust, which manifests itself in the form of yellow or orange spots formed on the leaves. The affected plant noticeably slows down its growth, and it must be treated with appropriate fungicides.

Acquisition

St. John's wort is quite easy to find in gardening centers and nurseries. Usually sell small specimens in pots; they can be planted on a permanent planting site almost all year round. Choose plants with well-developed foliage and-without a single sign of rust.