Hypericum
A family of evergreen, deciduous shrubs or trees with yellow star-shaped flowers. The most well-known is St John's Wort, a traditional medicinal herb that's now classed as invasive.
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Featuring a cheery yellow flower with prominent stamens in summer and autumn, the Hypericum family contains more than 400 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees. Hypericums are tolerant of a wide variety of climatic zones, soil types and light conditions.
St John's Wort, (Hypericum perforatum) is the most well-known member of the family. It spreads fast by seed or rhizomes, which allows it to become invasive. If you plan to grow St John's Wort for medicinal purposes, it’s best to keep it in a pot to prevent it spreading.
How to Grow Hypericum in a Garden
- Choose a position in full sun with well drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
- Mulch with an organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- During the growing and flowering season feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
How to Grow Hypericum in a Pot
Choose a dwarf shrub variety, suitable for pots.
- Choose a pot at least 250mm wide with adequate drainage holes.
- Position in full sun.
- Fill the pot with quality potting mix, like Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
- Position into the hole and backfill, gently firming the soil down. Water in well.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- During the growing and flowering season, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
Growing Tips
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Pinch the tips of the new growth in spring, to create a bushier habit.
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Varieties available include Hypericum calycinum, a low growing, dense shrub - great for stabilising slopes.
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There are a few pale pink varieties as well.
There are two particular Hypericum species that are considered invasive weeds:
- St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), an herbaceous perennial with creeping rhizomes, growing to 1m high. St Johns Wort is toxic to livestock.
- Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum), a small shrub that produces yellow flowers and red (toxic) berries, that turn black when mature.
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Recommended products
Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food
Specially formulated to grow all types of flowers. With high potassium for large & abundant flowers, added calcium & iron for stronger flowers.
Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food
Provides your flowers & roses with the balanced nutrients they require for healthy growth and flower production.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed
A certified organic garden input boosted with NZ Seaweed to gently nourish plants, enrich the soil and encourage a strong healthy root system.
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