Care of the shrub Hypericum canariense or Canary Island hypericum |
The genus Hypericum, family Hypericaceae, includes some 400 species of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees with a cosmopolitan distribution. Some species of the genus are: Hypericum canariense, Hypericum grandifolium, Hypericum revolutum, Hypericum calycinum, Hypericum olympicum, Hypericum roeperianum, Hypericum polyphyllum, Hypericum elatum, Hypericum fragile, Hypericum balearicum, Hypericum x inodorum. Common name: Canary Island hypericum, Canary Island St. Johnswort, Grenadillo. This species is native to the Canary Islands and Madeira. They are highly branched shrubs with fragile stems that reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in height. The narrow oval or linear-lanceolate leaves are deep green; in summer they can lose many leaves if they suffer intense drought but they sprout again. Small, scented golden-yellow flowers appear on branching inflorescences. They bloom in spring but can bloom for most of the year. These easy-to-grow plants are used in rockeries, in bush groups, on slopes and as isolated specimens. Hypericum canariense grows in full sun and partial shade exposures and in a warm climate. It does not resist frost. Canary Island hypericum grows in almost all types of soil that are well drained. You can use a normal well-drained garden soil with coarse sand to which a little organic matter will be added. Canary Island St. Johnswort is a drought-resistant shrub that needs moderate watering, waiting for the substrate to dry completely. Fertilize with a little compost at the end of winter. Grenadillo can be lightly pruned in late winter to maintain a compact habit. Hypericum canariense is a plant resistant to the usual pests and diseases. Canary Island hypericum is propagated by cuttings and from seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the shrub Hypericum canariense or Canary Island hypericum |