St. John's Wort

Hypericum x moserianum Tricolor

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moderately-fertile, moist but well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to October
• Hardiness: fully hardy

  
  Masses of cheeful, deep yellow, cup-shaped flowers appear on red stems from July to October among strikingly variegated green, cream and pink leaves. This low, spreading, semi-evergreen shrub makes a valuable groundcover plant where space is limited. Less invasive than the ubiquitous 'rose of Sharon' (Hypericum calcycinum), it grows equally well in sun and shade, but needs protection from cold, drying winds.
  

• Garden care: After flowering, lightly trim back shoots that spoil the symmetry of the plant. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.