Hypericum inodorum Magical Sunshine Kolmasun - St. John's wort

Hypericum x inodorum Magical Sunshine, also known as Hypericum × inodorum Magical Sunshine ('Kolmasun'), like all bushy St. John's Worts from the Magical series®, has a naturally compact habit and its beautiful semi-evergreen foliage resists rust well. It is covered with small golden cup-shaped flowers for almost four months, followed by beautiful clusters of yellow fruits, which turn black when ripe. Flowers and fruits mix on the plant throughout the summer, and the fruits often persist until early winter, making this shrub attractive for many months. An all-terrain plant, St. John's Wort thrives in full sun or partial shade in borders, rock gardens, edging, or even in a container on a terrace.

Magical Sunshine is part of a new generation of hybrids developed in Holland, resistant to rust disease which affects many bushy hypericum varieties in humid climates, especially those derived from the Hypericum inodorum species native to Madeira Island. The Magical® Hypericums produce berries of varying colours, ranging from white to green, yellow, pink, orange, red, and almost black. These compact shrubs bloom abundantly in the first year in the garden and bear fruit generously and regularly. All these plants belong to the Hypericaceae family.

Magical Sunshine grows rapidly, but generally does not exceed 90 cm (35.4 in) in height and 70 cm (27.6 in) in spread. It has a bushy and dense habit, well-branched vegetation, and mostly semi-evergreen leaves. They are ovate in shape, leathery, without petioles, fairly dark green, and slightly glaucous underneath. It blooms for almost 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 measuring 1.5 cm to 3 cm (0.6 in to 1.2 in) in diameter. They consist of 5 rounded, golden yellow petals arranged in an open cup. The centre of the flower is occupied by a crown of prominent, fairly long stamens. This flowering is followed by the formation of beautiful clusters of bright yellow conical fruits, which turn black when ripe, measuring 8 mm to 13 mm (0.3 in to 0.5 in) in diameter.

St. John's Worts are appreciated for their very long flowering period and their easy cultivation in all types of soils and under all climates, even by the seaside and even in shade. If you like yellow flowers, Magical Sunshine is one of the best small bushes to plant in a brand new garden, even if you are a novice gardener. It thrives in low shrub borders or with perennials, but also on a patio or balcony, planted in a large pot. For example, it can be combined with purple foliage plants (Physocarpus, Berberis, Bronze Fennel) in a contemporary setting, or play on the perfect harmony between the yellow of its flowers and the blue of Perovskia, Caryopteris, Nepeta, or perennial geranium. Surround your composed borders with Euphorbias and alchemillas, with their very flattering foliage. Its yellow summer flowering does not compete with pastel spring blooms. Its branches bearing fruit clusters can be used in unique bouquets.