Secrets of the correct planting of St. John's wort on the site. Basic rules for caring for ornamental shrubs

If planting and caring for shrub St. John's wort is carried out correctly, then flowers will appear in the very first year. In order for them to winter normally, they must be covered with a non-woven material, for example, spunbond.

Basic care guidelines

St. John's wort is an unpretentious plant. Caring for him consists in regular watering and weeding. In springtime, it can be fed with mineral fertilizers. It responds well to the introduction of nitrophoska in the first two years of growth.
Before wintering, the plant must be pruned. The entire aerial part is removed. The remaining necks are covered. For this, non-woven material, fallen leaves or dry grass are used.

As St. John's wort grows, it is necessary to remove dry leaves from it and cut off damaged branches. In rare cases, dark spots are found on the leaves. This indicates a rust fungus infection. The affected leaves are cut off and certainly burned. Even with good care, after three to five years, the plant loses its decorative effect, so the planting needs to be updated.

St. John's wort is an ornamental shrub with excellent decorative properties. It looks great on slopes or near a fence. With proper care, it will delight you with rapid flowering.

Shrub St. John's wort Hidkot is a rare ornamental plant. But, unlike the medicinal St. John's wort, it does not possess medicinal properties. To grow a shrub variety, no special conditions are required.

Features of growing St. John's wort in the country

when they bloom in turn; and so that at the same time, in one brush, did not see this.

The life of each individual flower lasts several days. It seems as if the stars-suns light up, then go out one after another. In the morning you come to the bush, and a new golden star is already burning there.

The size of the flower in St. John's wort hidcote is ten times larger. than the usual one, its diameter is 7-8 cm. The petals are the same number, equal to five, but in the decorative one they are rounded and accrete, a long pistil is surrounded by lace of stamens.You look, and once again you will be surprised how such a miracle was created by Mother Nature.

Headcoat

Perforated St. John's wort

I did not smell the flowers, but my friends felt a delicate pleasant aroma. But the leaves, if kneaded slightly in your hands, smell again of tenderness, I don't know. with what to compare.

It is now mid-September, the shrub is doing great, continuing to bloom, which will end in October.

As they bloom, wilted specimens should be removed, leaving only a few to form beautiful, red seed pods.

St. John's wort Hidcote hybrid. therefore, propagation by seeds does not make sense.

Description of Hidkot

St. John's wort Hidkot is distinguished by increased photophilousness, while the plant is undemanding to soils. The intensity of flowering and the growth rate of young shoots will depend on the light conditions. The more sun falls on the decorative St. John's wort, the more abundantly it will bloom.

The Khidkot variety has an increased tendency to branching, thanks to which the shrubs grow lush. It can be grown even in urban environments. St. John's wort easily tolerates heat, provided that the soil is well moistened.

You can distinguish Hidkot from other types of St. John's wort by the unusual leaves - on the seamy side they are of a blue hue. The leaves are oval in shape, their length can vary from 1 to 10 cm.

The flowering period lasts from late spring to late autumn. But the flowers do not bloom at the same time, but in turn, each of them blooms for several days.

The flowers of St. John's wort are shrubby bright yellow in color, varied in size - their size varies from small to fairly large. The diameter can reach 8 cm. Flowering ends with the formation of fruits - triangular capsules with small seeds inside.

The best varieties

To date, science knows more than 300 species of St. John's wort. In summer cottages, you can find only a few varieties:

1. Spreading. This species is popular in Southeast Asia. The height of one bush reaches a meter. The leaves have a regular ovoid shape, up to 5 cm in length. Bright yellow flowers are decorated with numerous large stamens. Flowering continues for two months.
2. Hooker. The height of the spherical shrub can reach one and a half meters. During flowering, it becomes covered with flowers, the diameter of which reaches 6 cm. They are painted in bright yellow. Due to the large number of small stamens, the middle of the flower looks fluffy. Only a plant that has reached the age of three years can bloom. It does not tolerate cold well, so it should be better sheltered for the winter.
3. Double-breasted. Widely distributed in the Caucasus and Western Europe. The shrub of St. John's wort of this variety grows up to one and a half meters in height. Flowering begins in mid-June and lasts for a month. After three years, fruits appear on the plant. They have a decorative appearance.
4. Brigadoon. A distinctive feature of this variety is the shiny elongated leaves of a yellow-green color. Small golden flowers cover the shrub in early spring. The height of the bush rarely exceeds 30 cm. Prefers sunny areas with light drained soil.
5. Calyx. It is considered the most unpretentious variety. It does not exceed 30 cm in height. During the flowering period, it is covered with large flowers up to 7 cm in diameter. Flowering continues throughout the summer.

St. John's wort can be used as a hedge. Its large shrubs will reliably protect from prying eyes. The main thing is to follow the simple rules for caring for the plant.

For summer cottages, it is better to choose a cup St. John's wort. It is unpretentious and does not require special care. It can be planted on slopes to strengthen the soil.

Planting St. John's wort Hidkot

Gardeners who plan to plant a Headcoat must choose the right spot. It should be sheltered from the wind and sunny. Areas with partial shade are also suitable, but in such places there may be fewer flowers on the bushes.

The composition of the soil does not really matter, it is only important to ensure that it is not flooded by groundwater. If there is a risk of flooding, then it is necessary to make drainage using expanded clay, pebbles, broken glass. Loamy and sandy soils are considered the most suitable for St. John's wort Hidkot. You can speed up the rooting process by adding mineral and organic fertilizers.

For planting, you can use:

You can start growing Hydcote shrubs by sowing seeds into the soil. They are harvested in the fall and stored throughout the winter in a dark, dry place. It is better to plan the sowing of seeds in the middle of spring, you can start sowing immediately after warming.

But autumn sowing of seeds gives good results. You can increase germination if you cover the soil with peat or fallen leaves for the winter. The accepted seeds begin to sprout in the spring, during the development period, the sprouts are covered with green leaves, and in the summer they begin to bloom.

You can find Hidcoat seedlings on sale in nurseries. But gardeners can do it on their own by sowing the collected seeds in the fall in a container. For 2 months, it will need to be placed in a cool, dark place, periodically watered. After the first shoots appear, the container must be rearranged to a lighted place and thinned out. In the spring, ready-made seedlings can be planted in the ground. Before planting, it is advisable to feed the seedlings with organic matter.

Landing rules

Planting and caring for St. John's wort does not require special skills. Even an inexperienced florist can cope with this. The plant reproduces well with cuttings. During landing, a certain sequence of actions must be followed:

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1. Purchased or cut cuttings should be placed in clean warm water for two weeks. During this time, roots should form on them.
2. Petioles with a root system are transplanted into small pots filled with soil. Make up a soil of sand and peat, taken in identical proportions.
3. In this state, subject to regular watering, the cuttings should spend the whole winter.
4. Plants can be planted outdoors in spring. To do this, dig a small hole, at the bottom of which a layer of humus is poured.
5. You should not bury the stalk deeply. It is enough to close the root system. Tamp the ground well and sprinkle with warm water.

If planting and caring for shrub St. John's wort is carried out correctly, then flowers will appear in the very first year. In order for them to winter normally, they must be covered with a non-woven material, for example, spunbond.

Storage of seedlings

The seedlings obtained as a result of seed germination are stored at home for several months. If seedlings appeared at the beginning of winter, then the container with seedlings can be refrigerated. At temperatures up to + 3 ° C, they stop growing. Also, in winter, seedlings can be kept in a shaded place on the balcony, provided that the temperature there does not drop below 0 ° C.

Before such a movement of the container with seedlings, they must be hardened. To do this, you can periodically take them out to the balcony, gradually extending the time spent in the fresh air. When storing seedlings, do not forget to water and spray them periodically.

Active ingredients

St. John's wort contains the following active ingredients:

Many drugs contain these active ingredients.

Their use will reduce the symptomatology of many diseases, and become a preventive measure for some diseases.

It is the active substances that have a positive effect on the body, contribute to an increase in the general tone of the body. A large concentration of nutrients is found in fresh and dried herbs.

St. John's wort contains many useful substances

Plant care

To achieve a lush flowering of shrubby St. John's wort, it is not enough to choose the right landing site. What matters is compliance with the rules of planting and caring for a shrub plant.

St. John's wort odorless Hidkot should be watered moderately, but regularly. The soil should dry out between waterings. In warm climates, with dry summers, you can water the soil 2 times a week. But with the onset of autumn, the plant begins to prepare for winter, enters a dormant period. At this time, the number of watering is reduced, gradually stopping them completely.

The soil needs to be weeded periodically. This will not only create a well-groomed and healthy planting look, but also allow you to get rid of weeds. In areas where weeds grow, the likelihood of developing diseases increases. Weeds are carriers of diseases, and pests actively reproduce in them. The amount of nutrients in the soils on which weeds grow is reduced.

The plant responds well to mineral and organic fertilizers. It is advisable to feed only transplanted seedlings with nitrophos. Also, experts advise applying this fertilizer during the period of rapid plant growth. With proper care, shoots grow 35-45 cm per season.

The lifespan of 1 shrub is 5 to 10 years. After passing the specified period, the appearance of St. John's wort deteriorates, flowering weakens, so the plantings need to be regularly updated.

St. John's wort treatment

Traditional medicine has a large number of recipes, recommendations for the use of St. John's wort. Let's dwell on some of them.

Diseases of the female reproductive system

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, St. John's wort is used in gynecological practice for any inflammatory diseases of female organs: erosion, adnexitis, colpitis, urinary incontinence, endometritis, etc.

It is necessary to prepare an infusion or a decoction of the herb according to a standard recipe, dilute with boiled water and do douching. The procedures are carried out daily until the symptoms of the disease stop.

The infusion is recommended to be taken orally for menstrual dysfunction. Sitting baths are made for infertility. Take a glass of dry St. John's wort, pour 5 liters of boiling water, put on the stove, bring to a boil, then immediately remove from heat and leave to infuse for 40 minutes. Manipulations are carried out every day for two weeks in a row, followed by a two-week break.

Colds and coughs

Patients with colds, accompanied by a painful cough, relieve the condition of St. John's wort oil. First, heat it up, apply a thin layer on a piece of gauze and attach to the throat. Since this is a compress, wrap it with plastic wrap (you can use compressor paper), then a warm handkerchief (scarf).

Inhalation with infusion will help you get rid of a debilitating cough and cold. Breathe in the vapors of the medicinal herb for about 15 minutes, the accumulated phlegm will soon begin to go away, and you will feel much better.

For sore throat, it is useful to use a water-alcohol solution for rinsing the throat.Dissolve 20 drops of tincture in a glass of water and start gargling up to 6 times a day.

Diseases of the digestive system

The intestinal microflora dies after prolonged use of antibiotics, in the presence of concomitant diseases or improper diet. Against this background, abdominal discomfort (bloating, colic, rumbling), stool disturbances (constipation or diarrhea) occur. It is necessary to undergo a course of treatment with St. John's wort infusion.

There is a good collection that relieves heartburn, abdominal pain. It includes St. John's wort, marsh creeper and common yarrow. Raw materials are brewed in a liter of boiling water, insisted and drunk warm before a meal in half a glass.

St. John's wort oil can be recommended for the treatment of stomach ulcers. The active ingredients provide astringent and anti-inflammatory effects. Be sure to check the dosage with your gastroenterologist.

There is a good recipe for cholecystitis and gallstone disease. Mix a glass of dry red wine, 200 ml of oil and three tablespoons of dry St. John's wort. Infuse the mixture for seven days, then boil for 45 minutes, again stand for thirty days. Take the drug daily 1 time, after a meal in 15 minutes. The optimal dose is 1 tsp.

Inflammation of the gallbladder is removed by a decoction of the herb. Pour 1c l. dry raw materials with a glass of boiling water, cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Take after straining ¼ cup before meals until the condition improves. Be careful - with an exacerbation of the disease, such a remedy will worsen the state of health. Check with your doctor.

Diseases of the urinary tract

The experience of healers has shown that the infusion of St. John's wort is able to dissolve the formed small stones. That's just to carry out therapeutic measures should be in agreement with a specialist. The infusion is prepared as usual. One glass must be drunk in three doses per day.

For the treatment of cystitis, the following herbal collection is used. 3sl. chamomile, 4 pp. oregano, 4c.l. knotweed, 8 pp. Hypericum perforatum. The whole mixture is poured with a liter of boiling water, insisted for 12 hours. Drink ready strained infusion an hour after the next meal, half a glass.

Heart diseases

The herbal infusion is recommended for cardiac patients from arrhythmias. The collection consists of taken equal parts of St. John's wort, yarrow, valerian roots. A spoonful of the mixture is brewed with a glass of boiling water, kept for two hours. Take 1r / d for half a glass in small sips.

Cold preparation and winter hardiness

Shrub St. John's wort is characterized by low cold resistance, so the plant must be covered for the winter. Shoots that are not covered with snow and are not wrapped up die in winter. They can survive only in regions with relatively mild winters - in the Caucasus, in Western European countries, in the states of Asia Minor.

The plant must be prepared for wintering in the conditions of central Russia. Some growers cut off the entire above-ground part of the shrub, others prefer to wrap up the branches. It is advisable to mulch the root part with peat or cover with fallen leaves.

In the spring, all frozen shoots should be cut off. After that, the plant quickly recovers and releases new branches.

Livestock and toxicity

Some cultivated and wild plants are capable of causing allergic reactions, serious diseases and pathologies in animals. St. John's wort can be attributed to the number of such flowers.

The causes of such diseases have not been precisely established, but there is an opinion that St. John's wort contains substances that, under the influence of sunlight, can cause skin diseases.

Some scientists suggest that such diseases appear due to the toxic effects of certain types of proteins, lack of vitamins.

Sheep, pigs, as well as cattle and horses are most susceptible to these diseases.

St. John's wort causes severe allergic diseases in animals

Headcoat in landscape design

Many gardeners, when shaping the landscape, focus on the ornamental shrubs of the Headcoat. They are used both in single plantings and to create compositions. From the bushes of St. John's wort, a decorative hedge with a height of about 1 m is obtained.

Landscape designers appreciate the Hydcot variety not only for abundant long flowering, but also for decorative leaves - from a distance they look like wax. The rich green color of the leaves of the bush goes well with bright yellow flowers. You can alternate between jasmine and St. John's wort - white and yellow flowers set off each other favorably.

St. John's wort looks good in combination with perennials in rock gardens, stony, heather gardens. When creating a design in the Japanese style, flower beds are formed from bush crops, made in the form of a terrace. You can decorate rooftop gardens with St. John's wort.

Modern gardeners, with all the abundance of varieties of flowers, often use decorative St. John's wort to decorate their plots. People search and find different types of this beautiful shrub. Its extraordinary unpretentiousness speaks in favor of this plant, it is distributed almost everywhere. Planting and caring for the ornamental shrub St. John's wort is not difficult. It does not grow only in permafrost. There are more than 400 varieties of it, there are also several species that are of exceptional interest to flower growers for their lush and long flowering.

Medical use of St. John's wort

He is not only beautiful, but also useful.

St. John's wort is widely recognized in the medical community as a useful treatment for depression. In Germany, it is often prescribed as the main drug for the treatment of mild depression, especially for children and adolescents. However, it is not helpful for long-term biological or melancholic depression. Overall, research has shown that St. John's wort is an effective treatment for some forms of depression, often better than placebo for severe depression. Notably, it also has significantly fewer side effects than some antidepressants.

In some countries, it is only available with a medical prescription from a pharmacy.

The active components of the herb are hypericin and pseudohypericin, flavonoids. Other research has led to the use of St. John's wort to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• alcoholism;
• ADHD;
• somatoform disorders;
• as an antibacterial agent for gram-positive bacteria.

However, there have been different results and further research is required to determine efficacy and dosage levels.

Traditional herbal medicine uses St. John's wort as a topical remedy for wounds, burns, abrasions and muscle pain. Often the beneficial effects can be attributed to the antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties of the active ingredients.

St. John's wort preparations

From the grass and the flower flows red juice from which then red St. John's wort oil is made, and it is used to heal wounds, against muscle pain and nerve pain.

St. John's wort - other uses and contraindications

Other uses include treating:

• insomnia;
• nervous state;
• as a diuretic;
• to increase appetite;
• increasing concentration;
• relieving pain.

It is appropriate to see a doctor before replacing or combining any current medications for depression with St. John's wort. Since the active ingredients work to raise serotonin, the use of St. John's wort with another antidepressant can lead to "serotonin syndrome". St. John's wort also interacts with a number of important medications, but does not limit the use of heart medications, blood thinners, cholesterol lowering medications, and birth control pills.The alteration or metabolism of the chemicals in these preparations can be altered by ingestion of St. John's wort, hence reducing their effectiveness or altering the desired effect.

He is generally well received. However, it has common side effects from use, including gastrointestinal upset, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, or sedation.

Preparation for planting decorative St. John's wort in open ground

The most productive is the sowing of ornamental shrubs in early spring. To do this, the dried and stratified seeds are mixed with wet sand and allowed to lie in a cool place for at least a month (2-3 months is possible) before sowing. The fruit compartment in the refrigerator is great for storing seeds.

Landing dates

For seed germination in spring, there is a sufficiently stable plus temperature - within 5–6 ° С. In central Russia, this corresponds to the second half of April. This means that the seeds must be prepared no later than the second half of March, and preferably in the second half of January. Dry them before sowing. The seeds will grow rapidly at a temperature of 20-25 ° С. Also, the plant can be sown before winter. Depending on the climatic zone, this can be done from September to November.

Landing place

Translated from Greek, the name of St. John's wort - Hypericaceae - sounds like "among the heathers." Indeed, there are some similarities. The cultivated plant can be planted in any free area of ​​the garden, where there are no weeds and a lot of sun. And also it grows well between young trees and shrubs, looks wonderful on the slope, in the front garden.

Illumination requirements... For all their unpretentiousness, these colorful shrubs achieve optimal conditions with good illumination. When choosing a place for sowing, you should pay attention to open, sunny areas.

Predecessors... As a perennial plant, St. John's wort can be easily grown in one place for 5 years or more. But every year the soil will be depleted. Therefore, initially it will be wiser to sow the crop in richly fertilized areas. The most successful are areas after grain or fallow (rested for one season). Or the plant is sown after another perennial crop. An indispensable condition for good growth and development of ornamental St. John's wort bushes is the absence of weeds. Otherwise, young shoots are quickly killed by weeds.

Description

In the genus St. John's wort there are shrubs and even shrubs. Now it is the shrub St. John's wort that has large flowers that is popular. All shrub Hypericum has branched stems and forms spreading bushes similar to pillows.

Their leaves are located opposite. The shape is oval, slightly elongated, the edges are solid. But the length of the leaves can vary from 1 cm to 10 cm, depending on the variety.

The flowers depend on the variety. They are tiny and huge in size, but they are united by brightness and attractiveness against a green background. Numerous long stamens form an unusually beautiful corolla center. They bloom in an amount that produces the effect of an amber scattering on a green carpet. Flowering lasts 30-50 days or more, starting in the first half of summer.

At the end of flowering, in place of the flowers, one-nested triangular boxes are tied, inside which there are many small seeds. Fruits usually ripen in September - October.

Planting St. John's wort

Sowing is carried out in rows on the surface of the compacted soil, then the seeds are sprinkled with river sand so that they are not blown away by the wind and washed away by the rain. If possible, it is recommended to cover the planting with a covering cloth before shoots appear.

An interesting way of propagation of a shrub plant species is cuttings.For use on a personal site, it is quite suitable. Cuttings are cut in autumn from a mature plant and kept in a container with water until roots form. Then the seedlings should be planted in pots with soil of equal parts of sand and peat. In them, the bushes are left at home for the winter, and when stable warm days come, they can be planted in a permanent place. It is advisable to pour some organic matter into the holes. There is no need to deeply deepen the root system, but you need to compactly tamp the earth around the bush. Plants obtained by this method, with proper care, bloom in the same season. In the future, the bushes remain in place for up to 5 years.

St. John's wort - planting and care

Planting St. John's wort

1. If you decide to plant St. John's wort on your site, then you should first decide on the landing site. Although the plant is unpretentious, the brightness of the flowers and the splendor of the bush itself reaches a maximum under certain conditions. Almost all varieties of St. John's wort prefer to grow in well-lit places. Landing is also possible in partial shade. It is desirable that the growth site of St. John's wort be protected from winds and drafts. The plant, like most ornamental shrubs, prefers protected soil.
2. St. John's wort is an absolutely unpretentious plant. If your site is dominated by sandy and dry soil, then this is an ideal option for planting this ornamental shrub. St. John's wort grows on loose, dry soils, on neutral soils or on soils with low acidity. Some varieties of shrubby St. John's wort need a good drainage layer. This is especially true for areas where groundwater is too close to the surface of the earth.
3. The easiest and most favorite way of planting St. John's wort by many gardeners is planting cuttings. You can prepare cuttings yourself or purchase them in specialized stores. The stalk just needs to be put in a container of clean water for 14 days. After this period, roots will appear on the cutting.
4. After the roots appear at the cutting, you need to prepare containers for planting St. John's wort. These can be small pots that should be filled with a mixture of sand and peat in a 1: 1 ratio.
5. Cuttings of shrub St. John's wort will winter in these pots all winter. You will need to regularly water the plants, prevent the earthy coma from drying out, but also not overmoisten the St. John's wort.
6. In the spring, you can transplant the grown cuttings into open ground to a permanent place of growth. Dig a small hole, on the bottom of which you need to pour a drainage layer and a layer of humus.
7. Place the young St. John's wort in the center of the hole and cover the roots with soil. Don't bury the plant too deeply. It is enough that its root system will be covered with soil. Compact the soil around the St. John's wort and water.

If all the planting rules have been correctly followed, and the conditions are comfortable for the plant, then flowering will occur in the same year.

Rules for caring for St. John's wort

You have coped with planting St. John's wort in your area. Now you need to take care of the plant. Even novice gardeners can cope with this, since the shrub is unpretentious to care for. Consider his main care preferences:

• watering. Most varieties of St. John's wort prefer a moderate watering regime. It is definitely not necessary to overdry the plant, but it is also impossible to allow waterlogging. Water the shrub as the soil around it dries. If the weather is too dry and hot, then spraying the aerial part of the plant is permissible. This is especially loved by young St. John's wort bushes;
• weeding... Like any other ornamental plant in your garden, St. John's wort needs regular weeding. This will create a beautiful, well-groomed and healthy look for your planting. Weed grass is often a carrier of diseases and pests.This is another reason for regularly removing weeds around St. John's wort;
• top dressing. St. John's wort will delight you with yellow flowers even if you do not feed him. But periodic application of mineral fertilizers will contribute to more lush flowering and accelerated growth. Experienced gardeners note that the plant responds positively to nitrophosphate;
• regular inspection of the bush... Like any ornamental plant in the garden, it is advisable to inspect St. John's wort regularly. This is necessary in order to notice the first signs of the disease and traces of pests on the bush in time. As St. John's wort grows, dry leaves and flowers may appear, which must be removed in a timely manner so as not to spoil the appearance of the shrub;
• pruning. St. John's wort requires 2 pruning per season. In the spring, as a rule, frozen shoots are cut off. Don't worry if too many shoots are damaged after the winter. The shrub recovers very quickly. In autumn, old, damaged shoots are removed. If shrubby St. John's wort was planted with the aim of forming a hedge, then you can cut it off as it grows;
• preparing for winter... Most varieties of shrub St. John's wort have good winter-hardy characteristics. Well, it is better to prepare the plant for winter if it is expected to be too harsh. Shoots need to be cut to the maximum. Cover the remaining aerial part of the bush with dry leaves, straw or other material.

Bush care

Planting and caring for the ornamental shrub St. John's wort is simple. Do not allow overdrying of the soil and overgrowing with weeds.

Watering

Crops of St. John's wort are not afraid of heat, and they need to be watered only as the soil dries up. Overflowing water is unacceptable. If possible, it is advisable to organize drip irrigation. An increase in watering is justified only in long dry weather, but even in this case, you should not flood the plantings, you just need to increase the frequency of watering. For better moisture penetration, it is necessary to loosen the soil in time and prevent weeds from overgrowing.

Top dressing

To obtain colorful and lush shrubs, there is no need to fertilize plantings during the season. If the soil was well prepared before sowing, then further you can limit yourself only to watering and weeding.

But additional feeding can significantly affect the splendor of the flowering and the size of the buds. In addition, fertilizer elements help to increase immunity, and, as a result, plant resistance to pests and diseases. For fertilization, you can use a nitroammophoska. It is enough to make 800 g per hundred square meters.

It should be taken into account that the introduction of mineral fertilizers contributes to a richer flowering.

In wet soil, the granules will dissolve faster, and the beneficial elements will reach the plant roots. Starting from the second year of cultivation of the plantation of St. John's wort, this top dressing is mandatory, since the soil is depleted and the yield may decrease.

Pruning

St. John's wort bushes are recommended to be cut twice per season. During spring pruning, damaged, broken and frozen branches are cut out. This will not affect tillering. The bush will release fresh shoots very quickly. Autumn pruning involves removing lignified and damaged branches. The stems are shortened to prevent breakage under the weight of the snow. The exception is the bushes of ornamental varieties, which the gardener forms according to his idea. In this case, depending on the left height of the bush, you will have to take additional measures to preserve it, for example, cover it with boxes or build a shelter-hut.

Soil care and weeding

In the first year of cultivation, special attention should be paid to the timely weeding of plantings. The seedlings of the plant are very delicate, fragile, and wild weeds do not cost anything to drown them out. When the seedlings get stronger, the second wave of weeds will no longer be able to displace them, but will be able to interfere with full growth and productivity.Therefore, weeding should be regular throughout the season. You should not overdo it either, in order to avoid damage to the roots. It is advisable to leave the cut grass in place - firstly, it helps to preserve moisture, and secondly, by rotting, it will serve as an additional organic feeding.

Pests and diseases

The bushes of the plant should be regularly inspected for any disease or pest infestation. Although this plant is very resistant to all kinds of pests and diseases, sometimes they appear. There are several reasons:

• rare weeding of crops;
• insufficient watering;
• overflow of landings.

The main diseases that St. John's wort is exposed to, and the fight against them:

Rust... These are red spots on the leaves, uncharacteristic for this type of plant. If found, the affected leaves are immediately harvested and burned, and the whole plant is treated with a pesticide, such as Bordeaux liquid, Agatom.

Fungus infection such as fusarium, powdery mildew. In this case, the leaves and branches are covered with a fluffy coating of gray-white color. For processing, after removing the affected parts, fungicides will also help. It can be the same Bordeaux liquid. Fungal disease is mainly caused by overflowing water. John's wort can be attacked by such harmful insects:

• moth St. John's wort. It settles on the tops of the branches and sucks out the juices of the plant, preventing the buds from developing;
• leaflet. She lives on leaves and, feeding on their sap, leads to the death of the leaves first, then the entire plant;
• thrips. Larvae and adults of the insect feed on plant sap, which leads to premature wilting of leaves and buds. If this misfortune is found, it is urgently necessary to treat the crops with an insecticide.

The use of chemicals is justified only in critical situations, it is often undesirable to use them - it can be harmful to health. Therefore, it is best not to allow such a situation to occur. It is important to follow the recommendations for cultivation of the crop and to regularly inspect the plantings for manual removal and burning of the affected parts of the plant.

Botanical description

St. John's wort is a perennial herb that has the following botanical characteristics:

1. Genus - St. John's wort, family - St. John's wort.
2. The Latin name is Hypéricum perforátum.
3. The rhizome is strong, thin. Dihedral branched stems, reaching a height of 50-100 centimeters, depart from it.
4. The stems are erect. Their color is different: from various shades of green to red, saturated brown.
5. The leaves are oblong-ovoid, elliptical up to 5 centimeters long. They are opposite - this means that two leaves emerge from one node in the opposite direction. The leaves are also varied in color with numerous light or dark veins.
6. Inflorescences are located at the top of the stem, have a racemose-corymbose shape. The flowers are regular in shape, reaching a diameter of 2-3 centimeters. They have a double perianth.
7. The flower petals are of various colors, usually golden yellow. The petals are darker at the edges, and lighter at the core.
8. The seeds ripen in special boxes with a mesh surface.

St. John's wort also has other names: healthy grass, bloodstain, youth blood, red grass, ailment.

St. John's wort - perennial plant

Harvest

Harvested during abundant flowering. The best time for the first training camp is the end of June. After a month and a half, the deadline for the second cut comes. Branches with leaves, buds and flowers are suitable for harvesting. The length of the branches is about 30 cm. They can be cut with a pruner or sickle.

Cut stems are immediately laid out to dry. A ventilated attic or terrace without direct sunlight is suitable for this. The optimum temperature for drying is about 30 ° C. In the process of drying, the grass must be turned up.

The readiness of the raw material can be determined by light crumbling when pressing on the branches and leaves. At the end of the process, the raw materials are removed to a dry, ventilated place. The collection is preserved for up to three years, without losing its medicinal qualities.

Application for medical purposes

For medicinal purposes, use the herb of the plant. Gather the flower tops along with the leaves during flowering. Dried in dryers at a temperature of 35-40 ° C or in the air under a canopy.

Raw materials, ready for use, are leafy stems with flowers, buds, and partly fruits and seeds; raw materials are dull green in color, with a weak aromatic odor, with a bitter, slightly astringent taste. Moisture is allowed no more than 13%, extractives extracted with 70% alcohol, no less than 25%.

In pharmacies, they are sold in packs of 100 g in boxes or bags.

St. John's wort, or St. John's wort. Botanical illustration.

It is believed that the name of the plant comes from the Kazakh "dzherabay", which means "healer of wounds". St. John's wort as a medicinal plant was known in ancient Greece. In Russia, it was used at the beginning of the 17th century. Russian folk medicine considers St. John's wort "a herb for ninety-nine diseases" and is widely used, especially in mixtures of medicinal herbs, for the treatment of many diseases. The plant is used in folk medicine in many countries.

Plant species

St. John's wort is a perennial plant, some species grow up to 1 meter, but there are also very undersized ones. There are more than 400 types of this herb. Many of them are medicinal, but most are decorative. The best of them are:

St. John's wort (Hypericum ascyron)

As the name suggests, the shrub grows to a large size. At home, in the countries of Asia and the Far East, these perennials reach a height of 1.2 m. They differ from other species in large leaves (6–10 cm) in the form of an egg, with a gray-blue color on the inside and large yellow flowers, collected in 3– 5 at the tops of the stems.

St. John's wort (Hypericum nummularioides)

These tiny bushes are ampelous, reaching a height of only about 10 cm. They grow mainly on rocky rocks. The bush is highly branched, the leaves are longitudinal-oval, blue-gray, covered with glands. A group of 3-4 buds is located at the top of the branch.

St. John's wort (Hypericum calycinum)

The calyx species grows mainly in the Mediterranean and Transcaucasia. The bushes grow in height up to a maximum of half a meter. The leaves are oblong-oval, the flowers are bright lemon, large (6–8 cm in diameter) with an abundance of stamens. Blooms profusely all summer.

St. John's wort odorless (Hypericum x inodorum)

This variety of St. John's wort is considered decorative. It differs from its counterparts in large multi-colored fruits. The bush with yellow, pink, purple, burgundy and even black round fruits looks extremely picturesque.

St. John's wort (Hypericum androsaemum),

The homeland of this species is the Caucasus, Western Europe and Siberia. It grows in mountainous areas, in forest clearings and grows up to 1 meter in height. From a decorative point of view, fruits are considered valuable - berries. They appear on the bushes only in the third year of growth. Throughout the season, the fruits change color from green through red to black. Nondescript flowering lasts three summer months.

St. John's wort (Hypericum patulum)

Sprawling St. John's wort is common and popular in Southeast Asia. Abundantly branching bushes grow up to 1 meter. Mature branches are dark in color, while young ones are greenish-reddish. Leaves are regular oval, large, bright yellow flowers with numerous stamens. The bushes bloom for two summer months.

St. John's wort (Hypericum olimpicum)

Low bush, about 20 cm in height. Longitudinal oval leaves are light cornflower blue. Semi-umbrellas consist of several buds located on the crown of the stem. The root system is creeping, powerful. The variety has been cultivated since the 17th century.

John Gebler's wort (Hypericum gebleri)

In its natural environment, the plant is found in Asia and the Far East. This is a branched bush 1 meter high. Flowers appear two years after planting. The leaves are oval, the flowers are canary-yellow, medium-sized. The large number of short stamens in the middle of the bud give the bud an ineffable charm. Blooms in June-August. Does not tolerate cold weather, therefore, for a good wintering, it needs shelter.

Also popular:

• decorative look of St. John's wort hidkot. Lush shrub with long flowering in summer;
• a wild species of a plant - Hooker. Tall shrub with short flowering. Afraid of frost, needs shelter in winter.

John Moser's wort (Hypericum moserianum)

In the 19th century, a hybrid species was bred - Moser's wort. This shrub reaches 30-50 cm in height and has arched drooping red shoots with greenish-blue leaves. Flowers reach 7 cm in diameter. Of particular interest are their pink or red stamens. This species of St. John's wort has a special variety "Tricolor", which is famous for the fact that on one plant, the simultaneous existence of variously colored leaves is possible: pink, cream and green.

Hypericum properties

St. John's wort stands out for its properties among medicinal plants. For several centuries it has been successfully used as an antibacterial and antiseptic, analgesic and restorative, diuretic and anchorage medicine.

Beneficial features

The benefits of using St. John's wort are due to the content in its composition:

• ascorbic acid;
• nicotinic acid;
• saponins;
• carotene;
• cetyl alcohol;
• sugars;
• tocopherol;
• hypericin;
• phytoncides;
• essential oils.

Extracts and decoctions of herbs are used to help with rheumatism, non-healing wounds, cholelithiasis, to treat a diseased liver, to treat diseases of the genitourinary system, to stop bleeding, diarrhea, and so on. No wonder they say that St. John's wort can cure 99 diseases.

Scientists have recently discovered another property of the plant. It has an antidepressant effect on the body and has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system. At the same time, it does not have negative side effects like chemical drugs.

Also, herbal raw materials are used in cosmetology. According to reviews, rinsing hair with St. John's wort infusion, masks and wraps with it help fight dandruff, with excessive oily hair. Decoction masks fight age-related sluggishness of the facial skin. It is mainly used for treatment with infusions of water and decoctions of medicinal herbs. Alcohol tinctures are also made. John's wort is also added to various herbal collections to expand the range of applications.

Contraindications

With all the useful properties, the medicinal herb also has contraindications. Its use is contraindicated in high blood pressure. Not recommended for use in the treatment of pregnant women. It is necessary to observe the duration of taking drugs based on St. John's wort. Excessive use can provoke allergic reactions and even diseases of some organs. Drug abuse can result in a decrease in potency in males. True, this is a passing effect. Everything will recover after a certain time after you stop taking it.

When using decoctions from this herb, direct sunlight should be avoided, St. John's wort enhances the response of the epithelium to ultraviolet light.

The name of the herb is St. John's wort, that is, killing animals. It is believed that albino animals can just die from the sun when they eat this plant.

The medicinal properties of St. John's wort pushed humanity to its industrial cultivation to obtain raw materials. Also, its wild species are collected, bred on personal lands. Unpretentious to grow, this herb gives people the ability to maintain health without resorting to chemistry.And flowering bushes will not only be a green pharmacy for you, but also a decoration for your garden.

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How to prepare St. John's wort preparations at home

Perhaps you happened to prepare excellent, environmentally friendly plant raw materials, you learned all of its medicinal properties, indications for use, side effects, contraindications.

Now it's time to prepare decoctions, extracts of St. John's wort. But first, go over it, grind it and let it dry well in a shaded, ventilated area. So let's get started:

1. The infusion is easier to prepare than anything else. Just do not confuse it with alcoholic tincture. Take 15g of dry raw materials per glass of boiling water, you do not need to cook the composition. Close tightly with a lid, put away for 4 hours in a dark place. Most diseases are treated by taking a 15 ml infusion before meals three times a day.
2. For the broth, you need a water bath. We hope you know what this is ?! Simmer the same mixture in a water bath for about 20 minutes, without leaving to a boil. Boiling destroys many nutrients. The broth is used in a similar way to the infusion, but it can still be used externally.
3. We will prepare the tincture with high-quality vodka, preferably with alcohol. It is necessary to maintain a ratio of 1:10, although you can cook stronger - 1: 7. Fill the raw materials with vodka (alcohol), close the lid, leave to infuse for three days. It is necessary to use the tincture in a diluted state - dissolve a teaspoon of the tincture in 50 ml of water. The tincture is effective as an external agent - for rinsing the throat, mouth, inhalation, lubrication of damaged skin areas.
4. St. John's wort oil. It is applied only externally. The ratio of raw materials and oil is 1: 1.5. It should be insisted on any vegetable oil for at least 5 days. If fresh grass is used, the proportion is 1: 1. Oil heals wounds, burns, ulcers, helps patients with stomatitis. St. John's wort ginger oil is used to treat patients with polyneuropathy.
5. If you decide to drink St. John's wort tea, prepare it as an infusion (see above). But before use, be sure to dilute, drink as a preventive product. You can add other herbs, regular tea leaves, natural honey.