Hypericum inodorum Magical White Kolmawhi - St. John's wort

Hypericum x inodorum Magical White ('Kolmawhi'), like all bushy St. John's worts in the Magical Series, has a naturally compact habit, and its beautiful semi-evergreen foliage resists rust well. It is covered with small golden yellow flowers throughout summer, followed by beautiful clusters of shiny white fruits, turning black when ripe. Flowers and fruits mix on the plant throughout summer on beautiful green-blue foliage, and the fruits, which often persist until early winter, contribute to making this shrub attractive for long months. An all-terrain plant par excellence, St. John's wort thrives in full sun or partial shade in flower beds, rockeries, borders, or even in a container on a patio.

'Kolmawhi' is part of a new generation of hybrids developed in Holland, resistant to the rust disease that affects many bushy hypericums in humid climates, especially those derived from the Hypericum inodorum species, native to the Island of Madeira. The Magical hypericums produce berries of various colours, ranging from white to green, yellow, pink and orange, to red and almost black. These compact little bushes flower abundantly from the first year in the garden, and bear fruit generously and regularly. All these plants belong to the Hypericaceae family.

Magical White grows rapidly. Generally, it does not exceed 90cm (35in) in height and 1.1m (4ft) in width. It has a bushy and dense habit, well-branched vegetation, and mostly semi-evergreen leaves. They are oval-shaped, leathery, without petioles, light green in spring, darkening in summer, and slightly glaucous underneath. It flowers throughout summer, from June-July to September. The flowers are produced abundantly in clusters of 3 to 23 tiny flowers, 1.5 to 3cm (1in) 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 protruding, rather long stamens. The main attraction of this variety is its astonishing white fruiting. Gathered in clusters, the small conical shiny white berries turn black at the end of the season.

St. John's worts are appreciated for their very long flowering period and their ease of cultivation in all soils and under all climates, even by the sea and even in the shade. If you like yellow flowers, Magical White is an ideal choice for a new garden, even for novice gardeners. It excels in low shrub or perennial flower beds, but also planted in a large pot on a patio or balcony. For example, you can plant it with purple foliage plants (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 composed flower beds with eEuphorbias and alchemillas, with very flattering foliage. Its summer yellow flowering will not compete with the more pastel spring flowers. Its long-lasting flowers, as well as its branches laden with white pearls, can be used in original bouquets.