Plant Overview
Often called Tall Tutsan or the Elstead St. John’s Wort, this hybrid shrub is the darling of the floral industry. While its yellow blooms are cheerful, it is the clusters of shiny, jewel-toned berries that truly steal the show in late summer. It is a hardy, easy-going garden companion that bridges the gap between a flowering shrub and a fruit-bearing decorative piece.
🔍 How to Identify
- 🌼 The Flowers: Features bright yellow, five-petaled blossoms characterized by a "starburst" of long, delicate stamens that look like tiny eyelashes.
- 🍒 The Berries: After the flowers fade, waxy, cone-shaped berries appear. Depending on the specific cultivar, these can range from creamy white and salmon pink to deep "lipstick" red or chocolate black.
- 🍃 The Foliage: Simple, ovate dark-green leaves arranged oppositely along the stems. When crushed, they release a faint, medicinal, or resinous scent.
🏡 In Your Garden
- 🛡️ Rust Resistance: One of the main reasons gardeners choose the Inodorum hybrid over others is its superior resistance to "Rust," a fungal disease that often leaves orange spots on the leaves of lesser Hypericum varieties.
- ✂️ Floral Harvester: This plant thrives on being cut. Pruning the berry-laden stems for indoor vases actually encourages the plant to maintain a bushier, more compact shape rather than becoming leggy.
- ☀️ Sun Versatility: While it loves the sun, it is surprisingly tolerant of dappled shade, making it a perfect "filler" plant for those tricky spots under taller garden trees.
⚠️ Safety & Toxicity
- 🐾 Mild Toxicity: While not considered deadly, the berries and leaves contain compounds that can cause digestive upset (vomiting or diarrhea) in curious dogs, cats, or horses.
- ☀️ Photosensitivity: Some species of Hypericum can cause "phototoxicity" in livestock or sensitive individuals, where skin becomes hyper-sensitive to sunburn after touching or eating the plant. It is best to wear gloves during heavy pruning.
✨ Fun Fact
The Inodorum group is so popular in the floral world that millions of its stems are shipped globally every year. If you have ever received a rustic autumn bouquet with clusters of red or green berries, you’ve likely already met this plant!
Detailed Care Instructions
To grow Hypericum × Inodorum plant, also known as St. John's wort, follow these steps:
- Select a suitable location: Choose a well-draining spot in your garden that receives full sun to partial shade. St. John's wort can tolerate various soil types but prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil.
- Prepare the soil: Remove any weeds and loosen the soil. Add organic matter like compost or aged manure to improve soil fertility and drainage.
- Planting: Dig a hole slightly larger and deeper than the root ball of the plant. Place the plant in the hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the soil surface. Backfill the hole with soil and gently press it around the plant to eliminate air pockets. Space multiple plants around 2-3 feet apart.
- Watering: Water the plants thoroughly after planting to settle the soil. Afterward, provide regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once established, St. John's wort is moderately drought-tolerant.
- Fertilizing: Hypericum × Inodorum plants generally do not require heavy fertilization. However, you can apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer during early spring. Follow the package instructions for proper application rates.
- Pruning: Prune your Hypericum × Inodorum plant in early spring to remove dead or damaged branches. You can also trim them after flowering to promote a bushier and compact growth habit.
- Pests and diseases: St. John's wort is generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, occasional issues may include aphids and rust. Monitor your plants regularly and apply appropriate organic or chemical treatments, if needed.
- Propagation: St. John's wort can be propagated through stem cuttings or division. Take 4-6 inch long stem cuttings and insert them into a pot filled with well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil moist, and roots should develop within a few weeks.
- Winter care: In colder climates, provide a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to protect it from freezing temperatures during winter.
Following these steps should help you successfully grow Hypericum × Inodorum plants and enjoy the beautiful blooms.
The watering requirements for this plant are best met by first ensuring that the soil is sufficiently moist but not waterlogged. The best way to do this is to regularly check the moisture levels of the soil by sticking your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil feels dry at this depth, it is time to water.
When watering, gently pour water around the base of the plant, taking care not to wet the foliage. It is important to water deeply and thoroughly, ensuring that the water reaches the roots. However, be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot and other issues.
The frequency of watering will depend on a number of factors, including the weather, the size of the plant, and the soil type. In general, it is best to water this plant deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out a bit between waterings.
During periods of drought or hot, dry weather, it may be necessary to water more frequently. Conversely, during cooler, wetter periods, you may be able to water less often. As always, the key to successful watering is to pay attention to the needs of your plants and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
To fertilize this plant, mix a balanced fertilizer with equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply the fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer. Make sure to water the plant thoroughly before and after fertilizing to prevent any burning. Be careful not to over-fertilize as this can lead to excessive growth and damage to the roots.
Hypericum × Inodorum is a plant that requires a well-draining soil composition. The ideal soil to use would be a loamy soil with a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0. The plant prefers a nutrient-rich soil that is moist but not waterlogged, as it can cause root rot. It is recommended to mix peat moss and organic compost into the soil to improve the texture and nutrient content. Additionally, adding sand or vermiculite can improve drainage. Ensuring that the plant is grown in soil that has good air circulation is important for the plant's overall health and growth.
To propagate this plant, you will need pruning shears, a container with well-draining soil, and rooting hormone.
- Choose a healthy stem from the parent plant that is about 4-6 inches long and has several leaves.
- Using pruning shears, make a clean cut just below a leaf node.
- Remove the leaves from the lower 2/3 of the stem to expose the nodes where roots will form.
- Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone.
- Insert the stem into the well-draining soil, making sure that at least 2 nodes are buried.
- Water the soil and place the container in a bright location but out of direct sunlight.
- Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- After about 4-6 weeks, the plant should have established roots and can be transplanted into a larger pot or planted outside in the ground.
