Hypericum calycinum
Rose Of Sharon
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Hypericum genus in the family Hypericaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Hypericaceae
- Genus
- Hypericum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Insects, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects, Self
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A good ground cover plant[3][9], succeeding in the heavy shade of trees and in dry shade[5][8]. Very vigorous, it can swamp out small plants. For the densest cover plants should be cut to ground level each April[6]. A yellow-orange dye is obtained from the flowers.
- Product or use
- Dye
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- W. Asia - Turkey. Naturalized in Britain.
- Habitat
- Grassy places and open woods to 1800 metres[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 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[8]. Cuttings of mature wood, 12 - 17cm with a heel, October/November in a sheltered position outdoors. Plants root by the spring. Good percentage[11]. Division in spring as new growth commences[11]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily grown in any reasonably good well-drained but moisture retentive soil.[1] Succeeds in dry soils[8] and in chalky soils[2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in sun or shade but flowers better in a sunny position[2]. Grows well even in the shade of tall trees[1][7][10]. Tolerates poor soils and also drought when it is established[4]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[4]. A very ornamental but very invasive plant, spreading by means of stolons[1][3]. Seldom sets seed in Britain, probably due to our wet autumns[3]. Plants are often afflicted with rust disease[3][8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1
Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00