A Dye, a Liniment for Joint Pain, a Mood Uplifter -- it's the All-Purpose Herb!
St. Johnswort
On top of everything else, this plant is ornamental, too!
Crush the flowers to create a dye so bright it seems fluorescent!
Ancient times brought fame to the St. Johnswort plants because of the discovery of a fluorescent red pigment, named hypericin, that oozes from the crushed flowers. Today, it has become well-known as a treatment for depression and is being trialed in treatments for AIDS.
St. Johnswort is ornamental as well, growing upright with reddish-brown woody based stems. The tiny oval, green leaves move up the stems at 1/2 to 1 inch intervals. 3/4 inch, 5-petaled bright yellow flowers appear in summer. At full size, this plant will grow 2 feet tall and 18 inches wide.
Grow in well-drained to dry soil in sun or partial shade. Pkt is 100 seeds.
| Genus | Hypericum |
| Species | perforatum |
| Bloom Season | Early Summer - Late Summer |
| Zone | 4 - 8 |
| Seeds Per Pack | 100 |
| Plant Height | 12 in - 18 in |
| Plant Width | 18 in - 24 in |
| Bloom Size | 3 in |
| Item Form | Seeds |
| Additional Characteristics | Edible, Flower, Herbs |
| Bloom Color | Yellow |
| Bloom Season | Summer |
| Light Requirements | Part Shade |
| Moisture Requirements | Moist, well-drained |
| Resistance | Disease Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Pest Resistant |
| Soil Tolerance | Normal, loamy |
| Uses | Border, Ground Cover, Ornamental, Outdoor, Wildflowers |
| Restrictions | CA, CO, MT, NV, OR, SD, WA |
