Xela's Garden

St John's Wort / Androsemo [V]

Genus: Hypericum.

Species: Hypericum.

Planted ? Vistabile Pond Border
Bought ? from ? for £?
Replaced with self seeded 10.11

Known Hazards None known

Range Western and southern Europe, including Britain, south and east to Algeria, W. Asia and the Caucasus.

Habitat Damp woods and hedges

Physical Characteristics
A decidious Shrub growing to 1m by 1m.
It is hardy to zone 6.

It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Hedgerow;
Edible Uses

None known
Medicinal Uses

Antiseptic; Diuretic; Stomachic; Vulnerary.

The leaves are diuretic, stomachic and vulnerary[61, 186]. They have antiseptic properties and have been used to cover open wounds[245].
Other Uses

Ground cover.

A good ground cover plant[208]. Although it is clump forming rather than spreading it increases freely by self-sowing[186, 200]. Plants are best spaced about 90cm apart each way[208].
Scented Plants

Leaves: Crushed
The leaves are covered in pellucid dots which, when touched, release a resinous smell somewhat like goats.

Cultivation details

Easily grown in any reasonably good well-drained but moisture retentive soil[1]. Tolerates a wide range of pH[186]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[1] but flowers better in a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in dry shade and is drought tolerant when established[190]. Hardy to about -20°c, but if cut back by cold weather plants can resprout from the base[184]. Plants often self-sow freely[208]. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[182]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. The leaves are covered in pellucid dots which, when touched, release a resinous smell somewhat like goats[245].
Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 10°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10 - 12 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in the following spring[200] Careful division of old suckering shrubs in the dormant season.
Cultivars

There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

Photos of this plant

Reminders for this plant