General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates wide range of soils. Thrives in sandy soils in full sun. Less floriferous in part shade. Evergreen in warm winter climates. Usually dies to the ground or at least suffers tip dieback in cold winter climates, but blooms on new growth and comes back nicely each spring. In areas where it does not die in winter, shear or mow plants in late winter to early spring every 2-3 years to renew and to induce new growth. Spreads rapidly by underground stems and can spread somewhat aggressively in ideal growing conditions. Plant 18" apart for use as a ground cover.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Hypericum calycinum is a rhizomatous shrubby ground cover that typically grows to 12" tall (less frequently to 18") and spreads to 24" or more. 'Briggadoon' is a golden-leaved form of the species. It features large, rose-like, five-petaled, yellow flowers (2-3" diameter) having numerous bushy center stamens with reddish anthers. Flowers appear singly or in groups of 2-3 and can cover a planting with blooms in summer. Oval to oblong leaves (to 4" long) are yellow. Four-angled stems are usually procumbent but sometimes ascending. Plants of the genus Hypericum (some species have been used since ancient times in the treatment of wounds and inflammations) were apparently gathered and burned to ward off evil spirits on the eve of St. John's Day, thus giving rise to the genus common name of St. John's wort.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems of a frequently occurring nature. Wilt and root rot can be significant problems, particularly in hot and humid climates of the South.
Uses:
Mass as a ground cover. Rock gardens, border fronts, naturalized plantings. Edger for open woodland gardens. Also effective massed on slopes, hillsides or embankments for stabilizing soils. Plant under trees where it competes well with shallow tree roots. Allan Armitage calls the species "one of the finest ground covers available".
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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