St. John's Wort Hypericum Miracle Attraction = 'Alldiablo' (PBR) (Miracle Series)
ABOUT
Hypericum Miracle Attraction, which is part of the 'Miracle Series', is characterized by its striking appearance that catches the eye in any garden setting. This plant is known commonly as St. John's Wort. It has bushy, dense foliage composed of bright green leaves that provide a lush backdrop for its prolific blooms. The blossoms are particularly captivating, featuring large, saucer-shaped flowers that exhibit a brilliant yellow hue. Each flower is composed of five petals that spread outwards with a sun-like radiance. In the center of the blooms, a profusion of delicate stamen creates a fluffy tuft, typically a contrasting color, which adds to the ornamental quality of the flowers. As the seasons change, St. John's Wort also produces berries that add another layer of visual interest to the plant. These berries can vary in color, sometimes presenting in shades of red or peach, providing a beautiful contrast against the green leaves. The plant has an overall lush and vibrant appearance, with its combination of greenery, bright flowers, and colorful berries making it a standout specimen in gardens or as part of floral arrangements.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Hypericaceae
Synonyms
St. John's Wort, Miracle Attraction St. John's Wort
Common names
Hypericum x inodorum 'Alldiablo' (PBR)
- Toxicity
To humans
St. John's Wort is generally considered non-toxic to humans in small quantities. However, large amounts or long-term consumption may potentially lead to adverse effects such as gastrointestinal irritation, confusion, tiredness, and sensitivity to sunlight. If substantial parts of the plants are ingested, medical attention should be sought.
To pets
St. John's Wort can be toxic to pets, especially to cats and dogs. If pets consume significant amounts of the plant, symptoms of poisoning could include skin irritation, particularly after exposure to sunlight due to photosensitivity, as well as gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea. Pets showing these symptoms after ingestion of St. John's Wort should be taken to a veterinarian promptly.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
1-3 feet (30-91 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attractive Blooms: The Hypericum Miracle Attraction produces showy, bright yellow flowers that add a vibrant splash of color to the garden.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and upkeep.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates.
- Seasonal Interest: With its flowers in summer and colorful berries in the fall, it provides multi-season interest in the landscape.
- Disease Resistance: The plant is bred to be resistant to many common diseases that affect Hypericum species.
- Attracts Pollinators: Its flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate surrounding plants.
- Versatility: It can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, beds, and as a low hedge.
- Compact Growth: Its controlled growth habit makes it suitable for small gardens or spaces where a compact plant is needed.
- Deer Resistant: The plant is less palatable to deer, which makes it a good choice in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Photography Prop: The vibrant flowers of the St. John's Wort can serve as a beautiful backdrop or subject for macro and nature photographers.
- Craft Supplies: Dried flowers and seed pods can be used in crafting, such as for making potpourri or adding to homemade paper for a speckled effect.
- Culinary Garnish: Fresh flowers can be used to add a splash of color as an edible garnish on salads and desserts, though they should be used sparingly due to their strong taste.
- Eco-Printing: Leaves and flowers of St. John's Wort can be used in eco-printing techniques on fabrics and paper to create natural patterns and designs.
- Dye Production: The plant can be used to produce a reddish dye for fabrics or crafting materials, especially from the flowering tops.
- Nature Crafts: The interesting structure of the plant, including its berries and seed heads, can be used in floral arrangements and wreaths.
- Fish Ponds: St. John's Wort can be grown around fish ponds not only for aesthetics but also to provide shade and a natural habitat for wildlife.
- Education: The plant can be used for educational purposes, demonstrating plant growth, pollination, and the lifecycle of perennial plants.
- Insect Habitat: The dense foliage provides shelter for beneficial insects, making it a valuable addition to an insect-friendly garden.
- Incense Making: Dried parts of the plant can be added to homemade incense for their aroma when burnt, often used in traditional practices.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The St. John's Wort is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The St. John's Wort is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Protection - Hypericum, also known as St. John's Wort, has been associated with warding off evil spirits and providing a protective shield against negative forces.
- Healing and Medicinal - Historically, St. John's Wort has been used for its medicinal properties, symbolizing the power to heal both physical and emotional wounds.
- Light and Joy - With its bright yellow flowers, St. John's Wort is often seen as a symbol of sunshine and happiness, bringing light to darkness and uplifting spirits.
- Water
The St. John's Wort requires moderate watering, where the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant deeply once every one to two weeks, using around 1 gallon of water per watering session for an established plant in the landscape. During hot or dry periods, watering frequency should be increased to avoid drying out, especially for plants in containers, which may need water every few days. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering again to prevent overwatering.
- Light
St. John's Wort thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to be placed in a spot where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. However, the plant will also tolerate some light shade, especially in regions with very intense midday sun, which may cause the leaves to scorch.
- Temperature
St. John's Wort grows best in temperatures ranging between 60°F and 70°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 0°F but should be protected from frost to prevent damage. The plant will enjoy the warmth in summer as long it is not excessively hot and is kept well-watered.
- Pruning
Pruning St. John's Wort is important for maintaining its shape and encouraging bushier growth and more flowers. Prune in early spring before new growth starts by cutting back the plant by a third of its size. Remove any dead or damaged wood at this time, and you may perform light trimming throughout the growing season to keep the plant tidy.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
St. John's Wort 'Miracle Attraction' prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7. A mixture of loam, peat, and sand in equal parts works well to maintain the right balance of moisture and aeration.
- Repotting
St. John's Wort 'Miracle Attraction' should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current pot to ensure healthy growth; early spring is the best time for repotting.
- Humidity & Misting
St. John's Wort 'Miracle Attraction' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but prefers average household humidity; it does not require any special humidity adjustments.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place St. John's Wort 'Miracle Attraction' near a sunny window; water moderately.
Outdoor
Plant St. John's Wort 'Miracle Attraction' in full sun to partial shade; water regularly.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
- Life cycle
The Hypericum Miracle Attraction, commonly known as St. John's Wort, begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically in the spring when soil temperatures warm. The seedlings emerge and develop into young plants, which undergo vegetative growth, forming a bushy structure with green leaves. During the summer months, the plant enters its flowering stage, producing yellow blooms that attract pollinators. Following pollination, the flowers develop into berries, often changing from white to red as they mature, signaling the plant's reproductive phase. The mature plant will eventually undergo senescence, where growth slows and the plant prepares for dormancy in winter, completing its annual life cycle.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Summer
Hypericum, commonly known as St. John's Wort, including the Hypericum Miracle Attraction, is typically propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings. This method involves taking cuttings from the current season’s growth, which has begun to mature but is not yet fully hardened. The ideal time for taking these cuttings is mid to late summer. Cut a 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) section of stem, ensuring there are at least a couple of nodes present. Stripping the leaves from the lower half of the stem, the cutting can be dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. It is then planted in a well-draining soil mix, keeping the soil moist until roots have developed, which typically takes several weeks. Once rooted, the new plants can be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions before being transplanted to their final location.