St. John's Wort Hypericum × hidcoteense 'Hidcote'
ABOUT
'Hidcote' St. John's Wort is a flowering plant known for its beautiful and dense shrubbery with numerous upright stems. The leaves are a dark, blue-green color which provide a nice contrast to the bright yellow flowers. These flowers are showy with a burst of stamen in the center that gives them a fluffy appearance. Each flower consists of five separate petals and they bloom profusely, creating a striking display. The plant is evergreen or semi-evergreen depending on the climate and maintains its foliage throughout the year. The leaves are small, oval in shape, and arranged oppositely along the stems, creating a clean and dense appearance. After the bloom, the flowers are replaced by small, berry-like fruits that are initially red and become black as they mature. The overall look of 'Hidcote' St. John's Wort is one of vibrant color and lush greenery that can brighten up any garden space.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Hypericaceae
Synonyms
Hidcote St. John's Wort, Hidcote Hypericum
Common names
Hypericum × hidcoteense 'Hidcote'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Hypericum plant, commonly known as St. John's Wort, is generally considered to have low toxicity to humans. However, if ingested in large quantities, it can potentially cause adverse reactions. Symptoms of poisoning from St. John's Wort may include gastrointestinal discomfort, confusion, dizziness, and photosensitivity, which could lead to skin irritation when exposed to sunlight. Chronic ingestion of large amounts could also interact with various medications and lead to more severe conditions.
To pets
St. John's Wort contains compounds that can be toxic to pets, particularly cats and dogs, if ingested. Symptoms of poisoning in pets can include gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, and confusion. In more severe cases, it may lead to photosensitivity, causing skin irritation in areas exposed to sunlight after ingestion. It is important to monitor pets and prevent them from consuming this plant, and consult a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Spread
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Hypericum 'Hidcote' is known to attract bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate plants in the garden.
- Landscape Design: The plant’s dense and bushy habit, along with its bright yellow flowers, makes it a popular choice for garden borders and landscape designs.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, 'Hidcote' Hypericum is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care, making it an excellent option for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance landscapes.
- Seasonal Interest: With its showy yellow flowers in the summer and attractive structure during the winter, it provides year-round interest in the garden.
- Erosion Control: The plant can be used on slopes and banks for erosion control due to its rooting characteristics.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and food for wildlife, including birds that may feed on its seeds.
- Deer Resistance: Hypericum 'Hidcote' is considered deer resistant, which makes it a good choice for areas where deer predation is a problem.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography backdrop: The dense, dark green foliage and abundant yellow flowers of St. John's Wort make it an ideal setting for outdoor photography, providing a natural and vibrant backdrop.
- Dye production: St. John's Wort can be used to make a deep red dye, which is extracted from its flowers and can be used to dye textiles or other materials.
- Garden bordering: Due to its compact and bushy form, St. John's Wort is often used in garden designs to create neat and attractive borders along walkways and garden beds.
- Securing slopes: With its root system, St. John's Wort can be planted on slopes or banks to help prevent soil erosion and stabilize the ground.
- Wildlife habitat: This plant provides cover and nesting opportunities for various small animals and insects, creating a mini-habitat within a garden setting.
- Floral arrangements: The bright flowers and attractive foliage of St. John's Wort are sometimes used in fresh or dried floral arrangements for their visual appeal.
- Insect repellent: While not widely recognized for this property, some gardeners use St. John's Wort around seating areas as it is believed to repel certain insects.
- Culinary decoration: Although not commonly used for consumption, the flowers of St. John's Wort can be used to decorate desserts and salads with their vibrant colors.
- Winter interest: St. John's Wort can retain its structure and seed heads during mild winters, adding interest to an otherwise barren garden landscape.
- Crafting and potpourri: The dried flowers and leaves of St. John's Wort are sometimes used in crafting projects or added to potpourri mixes for their color and subtle fragrance.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe St. John's Wort is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe St. John's Wort is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: Hypericum, commonly known as St. John's Wort, has been associated with warding off evil spirits and negative energies. It was traditionally used to protect against the supernatural.
- Healing and Medicine: Due to its medicinal properties, particularly in treating depression and wounds, St. John's Wort symbolizes healing both physically and mentally.
- Strength and Resilience: This hardy perennial thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a symbol of toughness and the ability to withstand challenges.
- Happiness and Positivity: The bright, sunny flowers of St. John's Wort are said to bring joy and chase away melancholy, symbolizing optimism and the pursuit of positive vibes.
WaterSt. John's Wort should be watered regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. It's best to provide deep watering when the top inch of soil feels dry, which could be around once weekly, depending on the local climate and weather conditions. Aim for approximately 1 gallon of water per plant each time you water, allowing the moisture to soak deeply into the root zone. During the growing season, you might find the need to water more frequently, while in cooler months, less often. Always check the soil moisture before watering to prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
LightSt. John's Wort thrives in full sun to part shade. The ideal location is a spot where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate some light shade, too much shade can result in fewer flowers and a leggy growth habit. Therefore, positioning this plant in an area with ample morning light and some afternoon shade in hot climates is beneficial.
TemperatureSt. John's Wort prefers moderate temperatures and can survive in a range of climates. The plant is hardy and can endure minimum temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for many gardens. It can also tolerate heat well, surviving in temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal range for this plant is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit to promote healthy growth.
PruningSt. John's Wort should be pruned to remove dead or damaged branches and to shape the plant. Pruning is best done in early spring before new growth starts. Pruning can also encourage denser growth and more prolific flowering. Annual pruning also helps to rejuvenate the plant and maintain its compact size. Cut back about a third of the oldest stems to ground level to promote new growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSt. John's Wort 'Hidcote' thrives best in a well-draining soil mixture comprised of loamy or sandy soil, with some organic matter like compost mixed in to enrich it. The ideal pH range for this plant is mildly acidic to neutral, around pH 5.5 to 7.
RepottingSt. John's Wort 'Hidcote' does not require frequent repotting; it can typically be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingSt. John's Wort 'Hidcote' favors average humidity levels and does not have special humidity requirements; it adapts well to the natural outdoor humidity levels in most temperate climates.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Hidcote in bright indirect light; water sparingly.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot, well-drained soil, moderate water.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleHypericum × hidcoteense 'Hidcote', commonly known as St. John's Wort 'Hidcote', begins its life cycle as a seed, typically requiring stratification to break dormancy. Once germinated, seedlings establish roots and shoots in spring, growing rapidly and forming a bushy, woody perennial structure. Throughout the summer, the plant enters its flowering stage, producing abundant star-shaped yellow flowers, which are attractive to pollinators and often lead to seed production if pollination occurs. After the blooming period, seeds mature by late summer or fall and are dispersed through various mechanisms, including animal activity and gravity. As temperatures cool and daylight shortens in autumn, the plant enters a period of dormancy, reducing growth and conserving energy. The cycle repeats when warmer temperatures and longer days in spring stimulate new growth, and the plant can also spread through vegetative means, such as cuttings or division.
PropogationPropogation time
Summer
The most popular method of propagating Hypericum × hidcoteense 'Hidcote', commonly known as the Hidcote St. John's Wort, is through semi-ripe wood cuttings. This process is generally done in the late summer months. To propagate, one takes semi-ripe cuttings with several nodes present, typically reaching 4 to 6 inches (around 10 to 15 centimeters) in length, from the current year's growth. The lower leaves are stripped off, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. These cuttings are then inserted into a mix of peat and perlite or sand to provide good drainage and aeration, with the container being kept in a warm environment with indirect light. The soil should be kept moist but not wet, and, with proper care, roots will develop in several weeks, allowing the new plants to be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions before being planted out in the garden the following spring.
