Hypericum, its, well lets face it a common shrub which we generally wouldn’t look twice at, in fact in Australia it is very much regarded as a weed. Of course there are many cultivated varieties which are grown in our gardens. Anyway for me it wasn’t until I came across Magical Beauty that I saw Hypericum in a completely different light, I have in fact been so taken with this plant that I found another couple of positions in the garden where I think they will be appreciated.
Magical Beauty is semi evergreen and has proven to be fully hardy in our Aberdeen garden. The oblong leaves are a mid/dark green, small yellow flowers are profuse in early/mid Summer, followed by masses of berries shaded, peach,pink and yellow. The eye catching berries stay on the plant, eventually turning black by late Autumn.
Planting this one in your garden will be sure to bring comments from friends and neighbours.The severe Winter of 2010/11 did result in the plants losing more leaves than usual. However they recovered fully and was as spectacular as ever in the Summer of 2011. If you find like I did that the shrub grows a little on the tall side for the position which you have placed it, the Chelsea chop in early/mid May works wonders.
Hypericum is also known as St John’s Wort and Rose of Sharon, the herbal extract St John’s Wort has been used as a remedy for over 2000 years apparently, and the name is said to come from John the Baptist. If you don’t believe me, take a look at this, I have never seen such an in depth article on a herbal remedy, Alistair, tell the truth how many articles have you read on herbal stuff, well—ok here it is. — All about the Herb—.
In Aberdeen – Fully hardy, earns its place
Height – 90cm/3ft
Plant care – Prune lightly in late Spring, or Chelsea chop a little later.
Here in October 18th, see how the berries have now turned black.
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Last Autumn we created a couple of heather beds in the back garden. This was more to do with a need to cut back on the labour intensive bedding annuals which we have grown from seed for the past couple of decades. Generally speaking, I like Heathers, but I cant say I was ever crazy on them, wait for it, however! After just one year, I think they are looking pretty good.
These two above, Calluna vulgaris Annemarie and the other one Allegro were looking exceptional in September and in to October
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Below is a shot of the two Heather beds. The first one is situated right in front of our kitchen window, and the other at the entrance of the round garden.
© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
What a beautiful St. John’s wort, such a great peach color to the berries and magical flowers. I like all the woody hypericums though, especially golden ‘Brigadoon’ and burgundy ‘Albury Purple’. There are herbaceous perennial hypericums that are regarded as invasive here in the US.
Carolyn @ Carolyn’s Shade Gardens recently posted..October GBBD: A Few Fall Favorites for Flowers
Carolyn, I think I saw Brigadoon on one of your posts recently, will have to check it out further.
I do like Hypericum because it is so textural and I like the color too. Your first image of it is really pretty. Heathers and Heaths do really poorly in our climate, but I so wish I could grow them here. I did try and they did not make it through the wet winters.
Donna recently posted..GBBD- What’s Wet and Cold Today?
Hi Donna, I am forever trying plants which I know have little chance of success, they will continue to tempt us with these things in the garden centres.
Alistair your heather beds look good, with so many new heathers it must have cost abit, I like Annemarie, one of the things puts me off heathers is all those pinks,
I love my Hypericum it’s probably just the most common variety bought in a pack from Woolworths, no plant is common though to a naive ‘still got lots to learn’ gardener like myself, I cut mine back for the first time this year and noticed it didn’t regrow from old wood only from last years growth and heaps of new shoots from the bottom so I intend to cut it right down next spring as the growth from the bottom has looked very good, I also took some cuttings for new plants as I recently posted,
Frances
Island Threads recently posted..wordless Wdenesday
Hi Frances, it was a bit pricey but, I don’t mind splashing out as we are such stay at homes and spend so little on things which others may do. So many of the Hypericums respond well to being cut hard back in Spring.
Alistair – the St. John’s wort berries and heathers (I remember when you planted them) are beautiful … but what caught my eye in your post were the little violet flowers with dark brown leaves just under the St. John’s wort bush in the first picture. I found that growing in my garden but I haven’t got a clue what it is, do you know its name ?
b-a-g recently posted..Dwarf Flowering Quince (10 OCT 2011)
Hi b-a-g, its just the common Summer annual plant (Lobelia.)
Hi,
Beautiful photos, there still seems to be a lot going on in your garden.
I really must get myself some more heather; they’re gorgeous and look so very nice at this time of year!
Liz recently posted..Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day – October
Hi Liz, I think the Heathers outshine the other plants at this time of year.
The hypericum photos are “wow”! Just beautiful! Our gardening season is pretty much done for the year as of yesterday… very cold and windy now. Larry
Hi Larry, Its usually mild enough here in October to get a lot of work done, although the forecast for next week is cold.
I have always loved these plants but never had luck growing them. They are native here so I am giving them another try. I absolutely adore heather and have a couple fo small plants that flower but do not grow well where I have planted them. Seems time for a change of place for them. Your heather beds are gorgeous. Very inspiring post. You certainly got me thinking.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..Garden Journal-Blooms of October
Hi Donna, Perhaps this particular Hypericum would struggle in the severity of the Winter where you are.
Beautiful shot of the hypericum Alistair, and what a lovely plant. Heathers are plants that never seem to quite fit in to my garden, though the colours and textures at this time of year can be beautiful, as you have demonstrated, and the insects certainly appreciate the late nectar.
Janet/Plantaliscious recently posted..Beauty and the Beast
Janet I know what you mean about having difficulty getting the Heathers to fit in, hope we have got it right this time, I will reserve judgement till next year.
Hello Alistair; I’m sure you know that you have to prune your heathers really hard to stop them getting too woody? I have several – mostly erica carnea, which are now very ancient, and I have to say that they are a haven for weeds – which get into the roots and then there is no stopping them – especially sorrel. But for something colourful in February, they are necessary, so I don’t eradicate them – though I am tempted!
Kininvie recently posted..Hardwood cuttings and greenhouse clear out
Kininvie, I have really just found heathers again and intend to make a beetler job of them than I did in the past. Yes I know about pruning hard to stop them getting woody. Conflicting advice with the ones that flower in Autumn, some say to cut back after flowering, but I kind of feel with the onset of Winter this could be damaging.
There is much of the invasive sort of groundcover Hypericum here– I had no idea there was a woody sort that became a beautiful shrub. And furthermore, I have no heather. See how important it is that I read your blog Alistair?
Linniew recently posted..What the pumpkin said
Always interesting to see what’s happening in gardens from other parts of the world Linnie.
I love these small flowering hypericum too! The one you mentioned is probably the best, but I want to ‘collect’ many others as the flowers have a different shade of yellow and the berries are from pale pink to rich crimson or maroon, I just love the way it grows too: neat and tidy and every time it grows it sets new flowers, so you can see flowers, buds and berries all in the same plant by end of summer. Nice post, I’m happy there’s someone else in the World who appreciate this plant!
Alberto recently posted..Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – October 2011
Yes Alberto it is a great plant and with so much going on.
I’ll have to be honest Alistair, you get so many comments that sometimes I think I shouldn’t bother you with yet another. But thank you very much for your last comment on my blog. I think your heather beds look lovely. Let’s hope they don’t get overcrowded! It can certainly be hard to know how to plant for the future.
Jordan Jackson recently posted..The Elisabeth C Miller Botanical Garden
Hello Jordan, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the heathers overcrowded, seems to be something which I cant help myself doing. Comments! come on, bring them on.
Now thats what I call a raised garden. wow. looks like a lot of love goes into it. Did you build the lattice too? greggo
Greggo recently posted..Cool and Crisp – GBBD October 2011
Greggo, I think its more what you would call a tiered garden, several garden areas which gradually rise. I did get someone to do the trellis work.
What a beautiful plant. I’ve unfortunately run out of space in my garden for any more plants but I’ll make a note of it on my plant wish list.
Hello sweetpea, there does come a time when we just cant squeeze any more plants in.
Hi Alistair, I think that I once gave Hypericum a try, but it did not take. It looks like such a nice plant in your pictures that I think I may try to give it another go. I especially like those black berries! I like heathers, but they are tricky here with our tough winters and dry summers. They look terrific in your flowerbeds.
Jennifer@threedogsinagarden recently posted..Evolutionary Oddities
Hi Jennifer, thanks for the visit. I hope this coming Winter is a bit less severe in your part of the world.
Blimey! Your back garden is amazing too!!! We should all take more close-up snaps of the plants in our gardens, too many plants pass us by until you zoom in…more ‘beauties’ out there than we realise xx
Jane recently posted..It’s My Birthday … WOO HOO
Thanks again Jane, I do enjoy your visits.