Tutsan, Sweet-amber, St. Johnswort
Hypericum androsaemum
Family: Hypericaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.
Hypericum androsaemum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Damp woods and hedges.
Western and southern Europe, including Britain, south and east to Algeria, W. Asia and the Caucasus.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The leaves are diuretic, stomachic and vulnerary. They have antiseptic properties and have been used to cover open wounds.
Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.
Other
Rating: 3
A good ground cover plant. Although it is clump forming rather than spreading it increases freely by self-sowing. Plants are best spaced about 90cm apart each way.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden. Easily grown in any reasonably good well-drained but moisture retentive soil. Tolerates a wide range of pH. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade but flowers better in a sunny position. Succeeds in dry shade and is drought tolerant when established. Hardy to about -20°c, but if cut back by cold weather plants can resprout from the base. Plants often self-sow freely. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. The leaves are covered in pellucid dots which, when touched, release a resinous smell somewhat like goats. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Attractive flowers or blooms
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 10°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10 - 12 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in the following spring Careful division of old suckering shrubs in the dormant season.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Hedgerow;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 5-10
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist