Hypericum androsaemum
Common tutsan, Sweet amber, Tutsan, Bible leaf
- Height × spread
- 0.75m × 1m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Tutsan produces many small golden flowers in the early part of the summer, following this up with a display of slightly aromatic red, then black, berry-like capsules. These come in July and look very distinctive. The leaves release a resinous scent if crushed. It is a native plant in Britain and Ireland and is most usually found in woodlands. The plant is said to have antiseptic properties, was once used to cover open wounds and has been considered to have magical properties. In the Isle of Wight people used to tread on the plant, at the risk of being whisked up by the fairies and carried away on a fairy horse with, as a result, a long walk home.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.75m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
More Hypericum
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Hypericum Miracle Blizz = 'Allblizz'
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Hypericum x hidcoteense 'Hidcote'
St John's wort, St Peter's wort
Hypericum x moserianum 'Tricolor'
Moser's St John's wort, Gold flower
Hypericum 'Berry Orange'
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