Hypericum androsaemum

St. Johnswort
Hypericaceae
Evergreen, Shrubs

HYPERICUM

All bear single flowers with prominent sunburst of stamens in center. Shal­lowly cup-shaped, five-petaled blooms range in color from creamy yellow to gold; flowers may be solitary or in clusters. Neat, fresh green foliage. Various species used for mass plantings, ground covers, informal hedges, borders. Grow especially well in mild, moist regions.

A difficult-to-control rust is extensively infecting plantings (especially those of the species H. calycinum) in the Pacific North­west. Remove and destroy blighted leaves and any leaf litter; avoid overhead watering of plants in the evening.

Hypericum androsaemum

Shade-tolerant native shrub from Europe, western Asia. To 3 ft. tall and wide, with stems arching toward the top. Leaves are medium green above, paler beneath, to 4 in. long and 2 in. wide. Clusters of 3/4-in., golden yellow flowers in summer. Blossoms are followed by inedible berrylike fruits that turn from red to purple to black as they age.Useful as tall ground cover at edge of woods, on shaded slopes, in a wild garden.

'Glacier'

Most gardeners grow this 3- to 4-ft. shrub for its wonderfully variegated leaves. They're variegated pink when new, then become green heavily splashed with white. Yellow flowers and tiny, apple-like red berries also make it worthwhile.