Hypericum Magical® Midnight Glow – Magical® Midnight Glow St. John's Wort

Electrify your landscape with the dramatic, season-long colour contrast of Magical® Midnight Glow St. John's Wort. This compact, bushy shrub showcases intense dark purple to nearly black foliage that creates a breathtaking backdrop for starry golden-yellow summer blossoms. As autumn approaches, vibrant scarlet-red berries replace the flowers, delivering rich ornamental value well into late fall. Perfect for mass plantings, decorative containers, and fresh floral arrangements, it injects bold architectural flair into any sunny garden space.

Characteristics

• Foliage : Deciduous, ovate leaves emerging deep burgundy and maturing to nearly black in full sun, maintaining their rich dark tone throughout the growing season.
• Flowering : Multitude of star-shaped, bright golden-yellow flowers adorned with prominent central stamens, blooming generously from July through August.
• Fructification : Clusters of glossy, bright scarlet-red ornamental berries appearing in late summer and persisting well into late autumn.
• Light : Full sun to partial shade (full sun maximizes the depth and saturation of the dark purple foliage).
• Habit : Naturally compact, dense, rounded, and bushy mounding form.
• Growth : Moderate growth rate, reaching a mature height and spread of 75 to 90 cm.
• Soil : Rich, organic, moist, and well-drained soil; adapts well to a variety of garden soil types.
• Temperature : Hardiness zone 5.
• Resistances : High resistance to rust, common foliar diseases, and insect pests.

Use

• Types of use : Ideal for mixed shrub borders, low decorative hedges, accent flower beds, patio containers, and cut branches for floral arrangements.
• Decorative advantages : Delivers powerful multi-season interest through dramatic nearly black foliage, radiant yellow flowers, and eye-catching red autumn berries.

Maintenance

• Watering : Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, then maintain moderate soil moisture during hot, dry spells.
• Fertilization : Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer for trees and shrubs or top-dress with organic compost in early spring to stimulate vigorous new growth.
• Pruning : Cut back stems by one-third or down to 15–20 cm from the ground in early spring, as flowers and berries develop entirely on new wood.
• Planting : Plant in spring or early autumn, spacing plants 75 to 90 cm apart in loose, compost-enriched soil.
• Winter protection : Apply a thick layer of organic mulch over the root zone in late autumn to insulate the crown against deep winter frost.