Ignite Red St. Johns Wort

Hypericum androsaemum 'Seifire'

Hypericum ‘Red Ignite’ on 20% ET0 in September 2011. Photo: SK Reid.

Summary

There were no statistically significant differences in either overall or relative growth between irrigation treatments for Hypericum ‘Red Ignite’, making it suitable to a variety of landscape irrigation situations, including very low water use. After the establishment year, there was no mortality for any irrigation level.

Early into the second growing season, the plants began to show variability we couldn’t attribute to position in the field or irrigation treatment. Plants seemed to have one of two forms: very dark green leaves, denser habit, and showier display of berries, or paler green leaves, and floppier, more open habit.  Both colors bloomed satisfactorily, but the darker leaved plants bloomed earlier, and held their berries later. The previous season’s growth for both forms became yellow and died on the interior of the plant, and often became floppy, so to get a fair assessment of this cultivar’s potential, we pruned plants back evenly in late April to encourage new growth and a more appealing habit. We would make this an annual cultivation recommendation for this plant, perhaps even earlier in the season.

Though some aphids appeared on the new growth following pruning, they did not inflict serious enough damage to affect leaf or flower quality ratings. The only statistical difference between treatments in quality ratings was for disease resistance between 20% and 80%. Though the incidence of leaf necrosis was not high during the growing season, it was most likely to occur on the highest irrigation level. Since overly tall growth tends toward a more floppy appearance, we would recommend irrigation at the 20% to 40% ET₀ level. Overall this plant was attractive in leaf, flower and berry. With pinching, it might make a denser shrub, but we would recommend it for informal gardens where its loose blousy habit would naturally look appropriate and require minimal maintenance.

Growth and Quality Data

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