St Johns Wort Herb

This magical herb is found in temperate zones of the world in open situations on semi-dry soils.

Whoever treads on St John's Wort after sunset will be swept up on the back of a magic horse that will charge round the heavens until sunrise before depositing its exhausted rider on the ground.

Besides its magical attributes, Hypericum has medicinal properties and was universally known as the 'Grace of God'. In England it cured mania, in Russia it gave protection against hydrophobia and the Brazilians knew it as an antidote to snake bite. St John's Wort ('wort', incidentally, is Anglo-Saxon for 'medicinal herb') has been used to raise ghosts and exorcise spirits. When crushed, the leaves release a balsamic odor similar to incense, which was said to be strong enough to drive away evil sprits. The red pigment from the crushed flowers was taken to signify the blood of St John at his beheading, for the herb is in full flower on 24th June, St John's Day.

SPECIES

Hypericum perforatum

St John's Wort

Hardy perennial. Hi 30-90cm (12-36in), spread 30cm (12in). Scented yellow flowers with black dots  in summer. The small leaves are stalk less; covered with tiny perforations (hence perforatum), which are in fact translucent glands. This is the magical species.

CULTIVATION

Propagation

Seed Sow very small seed in spring into prepared seed or plug trays, and cover with Perlite. Germination is usually in 10-20 days depending on the weather. When the seedlings are large enough to handle and after a period of hardening off, plant out 30cm (12in) apart.

Division

Divide established plants in the autumn.

Pests and Diseases

Largely free from pests and diseases.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds. Summer. Cut back after flowering to stop self-seeding.

Autumn: Divide established clumps.

Winter: No need for protection, fully hardy.

Garden Cultivation

Tolerates most soils, in sun or light shade, but it can be invasive in light soils.

Harvest

Harvest leaves and flowers as required.

CONTAINER GROWING

Can be grown in containers, but it is a bit tall so you do need a large clump for it to look effective. Use a soil based compost. Water in the summer months; only feed with liquid fertilizer twice during the growing season, otherwise it produces more leaf than flower.

OTHER USES

The flowers release a yellow dye with alum, and a red dye with alcohol.

MEDICINAL

Oil extracted by macerating the flowers in vegetable oil and applied externally eases neuralgia and the pain of sciatica wounds, varicose veins, ulcers and sunburn. Only take internally under supervision.