Hypericum inodorum Magical Red Flame KOLMAREF - St. John's wort

Hypericum x inodorum Magical Red Flame 'KOLMAREF' is part of the Magical series®. It has a naturally compact habit, with beautiful semi-evergreen foliage that resists rust well. From June-July to September-October, it is covered with small golden cup-shaped flowers, followed by beautiful clusters of bright red fruits in a dazzling symphony of summer colours. These fruits turn black when ripe. They persist until the beginning of winter and contribute to making this variety attractive for many months. St. John's wort is a true all-terrain plant, settling in the sun or semi-shade in flower beds, rockeries, borders, or even in a pot on a terrace.

This variety is part of a new generation of hybrids developed in Holland, resistant to the rust disease that usually affects many shrubby hypericums, particularly those derived from Hypericum inodorum, native to the island of Madeira. They produce berries of varied colours depending on the variety, ranging from white to green and yellow, from pink to orange, from red to almost black. These small compact bushes bloom abundantly from the first year in the garden, and fruit with generosity and regularity. All these plants belong to the Hypericaceae family.

Hypericum x inodorum Magical Red Flame 'KOLMAREF' has a rapid growth rate, and will generally not exceed 90cm (35in) in height and 70cm (28in) in spread. It has a bushy, ramified, and dense habit, and carries dark green leaves which are most often semi-evergreen. They are ovate, leathery, without petioles, and slightly glaucous underneath. It flowers for four months of the year, from June-July to September-October. The flowers are produced abundantly in clusters of 3 to 23 very small flowers 1.5 to 3cm (1in) in diameter. They are composed of 5 rounded golden yellow petals arranged in an open cup. The centre of the flower is occupied by a crown of protruding stamens. This flowering is followed by the formation of beautiful clusters of conical fruits, which are pink then bright red, before turning black when ripe, measuring 8 to 13mm (0.3 to 0.5in) in diameter.

St. John's wort is appreciated for its very long flowering and ease of cultivation in all soils and under all our climates, even by the sea and even in the shade. If you like yellow flowers, this variety is ideal for planting in a new garden, even when you are a beginner in gardening. It excels in low shrub or perennial flower beds, and also on a terrace or balcony, planted in a large pot. You can, for example, plant it with purple foliage (physocarpus, berberis, bronze fennel) in a fashionable design, or play on the perfect harmony between the yellow of its flowers and the blue of perovskia, caryopteris, nepeta, or perennial geranium. Surround your flower beds with euphorbia and lady's mantle, with flattering foliage. Its yellow flowering will not compete with pastel spring flowering. Its branches bearing clusters of fruits can be used to create unique bouquets.