Hypericum inodorum Radiance - St. John's wort

Hypericum x inodorum 'Marc02' RADIANCE® is a new variety of shrubby St. John's wort with remarkably coloured foliage, and a compact and bushy habit, perfectly suited to small spaces and container cultivation. Its young shrimp pink shoots, juvenile leaves variegated with white and green, older leaves of a deep green, and radiant yellow flowers, follow each other and blend on the plant, making this variety attractive for many months. An all-terrain plant par excellence, semi-evergreen but well hardy, it can be established everywhere, preferably in semi-shade.

Hypericum x inodorum 'Marc02' RADIANCE is a Belgian hybrid creation, whose parentage is currently unknown. Like all St. John's wort, it belongs to the Hypericaceae family. It has a fairly rapid growth rate and will generally not exceed 80cm (32in) in height and 60cm (24in) in spread. This St. John's wort has a rounded and dense habit, with well-ramified vegetation. In this variety, the young shoots and young leaves are superbly coloured and variegated with pink, white and tender green. The mature leaves are elongated ovate in shape, leathery, without petioles, of a fairly dark green, and slightly glaucous underneath. If the winter is not too harsh, they persist on the branches. This variety flowers in summer, from June to August. The flowers are compound with 5 rounded petals, golden-yellow, arranged in an open cup. The centre of the flower is occupied by a crown of protruding stamens.

St. John's wort is appreciated for its long flowering period and ease of cultivation in all soils and under all our climates, even by the sea and even in the shade. This one boasts changing foliage, which is interesting for a good part of the year. Easy to grow in ordinary but well-drained soil, it is a star plant for the terrace and the ideal small bush to install in a romantic setting, even for gardening beginners. It can be planted, for example, with purple foliage (physocarpus, berberis, bronze fennel) in a fashionable setting, or play on the perfect harmony between the yellow of its flowers and the blue of dwarf perovskia, caryopteris, nepeta, or perennial geraniums. Surround your flower beds with euphorbias and Lady's Mantle, with very flattering foliage.