Hypericum kalmianum Cobalt-n-Gold - St. John's wort

If their massive use a few years ago may have tired of Millepertuis, the Hypericum kalmianum 'Cobalt-n-Gold' heralds the revival of the genus with an attractive bush in more ways than one. Compact, it forms a spread out bush of a bluish colour that is very impressive. Its narrow and fine leaves are decorative throughout the season, and even more so in autumn, when they turn orange before falling. The classic yellow flowers bloom in summer and are particularly enhanced by the green-blue mass of foliage. Winter allows you to enjoy the decorative bark, which is cinnamon in colour. Hardy, tolerating most growing conditions, it is the ideal plant to start in the garden, perfect for filling a slope or in association in a mixed border. 

The Hypericum 'Cobalt-n-Gold' is a recent horticultural creation (2008) derived from Hypericum kalmianum, a botanical species native to North America. This small bush belongs to the Hypericaceae family (or Clusiaceae according to classifications, and formerly Guttiferae). Of medium growth, it generally does not exceed 100 cm (39.4 in) in height and 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in width, depending on growing conditions. It has a dense, rounded, spread out, slightly irregular habit, carried by arched quadrangular stems. They are adorned with long, entire and narrow leaves, often semi-evergreen (depending on the severity of the winter). These elongated, pointed leaves, 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) long, are a beautiful bluish green and turn yellow to orange-red in autumn. In June-July, it produces abundant clusters of 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) diameter flowers, composed of 5 rounded petals arranged in an open cup. The center of the flower is occupied by a bouquet of prominent stamens, particularly decorative. Hardy to at least -20°C, in cold climates, the dropping of the leaves reveals a beautiful cinnamon-colored bark, which peels off and adds attraction to this shrub.
This Millepertuis is easy to grow, it thrives in neutral to alkaline, moist to dry, even poor soil. Tolerant of soil type, it is also tolerant of exposure, from sunny in cool climates, to partial shade, or even shade in hot climates. 

Millepertuis are appreciated for their long flowering period and their ease of cultivation in all types of soil and in all our climates, even by the sea. As long as you like yellow flowers, Hypericum 'Cobalt-n-Gold' is one of the small shrubs to be planted in a brand-new garden, even for beginners in gardening. It excels in all areas of the garden, whether sunny or shaded and impoverished by tree roots. It only requires well-drained soil to thrive in borders.
In light woodland, for example, it can be associated with symphorines and the male dogwood 'Jolico' to create a wild scene. In sunnier areas, it will accompany the Lavatera 'Burgundy Wine', the Berberis thunbergii Atropurpurea Nana, blue perennial geraniums or an upright conifer with golden foliage like the Taxus baccata David.