How to Grow Hypericum 'Hidcote'
Hypericum 'Hidcote'
Hypericum 'Hidcote' is an upright, semi-evergreen shrub producing large (5-7 cm) golden-yellow flowers from July to September. Extremely hardy and easy to grow in any well-drained soil, in sun or partial shade. Plant 100 cm apart and mulch annually. Cut back by one third to one half in late winter to keep compact and maximise flowering. One of the most reliable and floriferous shrubs for UK gardens.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser. Top-dress with garden compost annually. Established plants rarely need heavy feeding.
Watch For
- Hypericum rust
- Hypericum beetle
- Aphids
Companions
Salvia, Geranium (hardy), Nepeta, Lavender, Roses
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Performs well in full sun or partial shade. In full sun it flowers most freely; partial shade is tolerated and useful in hot, dry spots. Deep shade reduces flowering noticeably.
Watering
Low once established; drought-tolerant
Very drought-tolerant once established. Water newly planted shrubs during dry spells in the first season. Established plants rarely need supplemental watering except in prolonged drought.
Fertilizing
Light spring feed; thrives in average soil
Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in spring. Top-dress with garden compost annually. Avoid over-feeding, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning
Cut back one third to half in late winter
Prune in February or March, reducing the plant by one third to one half. This keeps the shrub tidy and compact and encourages vigorous flowering shoots. Avoid cutting hard into old wood.
Spacing
100 cm between plants
Space plants 100 cm apart to allow for the mature spread of 1.2-1.5 m. Plants grown too close become congested and flower less freely.
Growing Tips
Prune in late winter
Cut back by one third to one half in February or March before new growth begins. This keeps the shrub compact and promotes strong, flower-bearing shoots. Avoid cutting into very old woody stems.
Tolerates most soils
Hypericum 'Hidcote' grows well in chalk, clay, loam, or sandy soils as long as drainage is reasonable. Waterlogged ground is the main thing to avoid.
Long flowering season
Flowers appear from July and continue through to September — one of the longest flowering seasons of any hardy shrub. Deadheading is not necessary but can tidy the plant.
