HYPERICUM 



(From hypeuikon, the Greek name for the flower, derived from hypo, under, and ereike heather) 



Hypericacecs 



107. Hypericum Moserianum 

 English Names: St. John's wort. Gold flower. 



S. E. EUROPE LATE JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 



WIDE open, single, wild rose-shaped flowers about two inches across, 

 golden yellow with many conspicuous bright orange stamens, borne 

 one to three on a stalk on a low-growing erect shrub, one and one half to 

 two feet high, with droop- 

 ing branches. Leaves 

 oval, about one and one 

 half inches long, dark 

 green, leathery, and per- 

 sistent. The flowers 

 bloom a few at a time 

 throughout the season, 

 never producing a mass 

 of color; therefore it 

 should always be planted 

 in clumps, never singly. 

 Excellent for the herba- 

 ceous border. Techni- 

 cally a shrub and not a 

 herbaceous perennial, but 

 more suitable for the 

 border than for shrub- 

 bery. Not reliably hardy 

 in New England, but 

 hardy farther south. 

 Should be protected by 

 leaves or litter in winter. 



Of easy culture in any 

 garden soil, in sun or half- 

 shade. Does best in a 

 light, warm soil, and 

 flowers longer in partial shade than in sun. 

 six or seven years. 



Propagate by seed, by cuttings, or by suckers. 



124 



Should be renewed every 



