Hypericum olympicum L.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This is a very handsome species of Hypericum; it more usually bears fewer flowers, and, except one or two, on very short footstalks, and leaves, sometimes, considerably smaller than those of the common St. John’s Wort. But we have seen specimens with leaves of every intermediate size; so that the difference is probably the mere effect of cultivation.

Native of the Levant. Sufficiently hardy, in a warm sheltered situation, to survive our winters out of doors; but, as it is liable to be destroyed by severe cold, it is proper to preserve some plants under a frame. Propagated by parting the roots in the autumn; or, if raised from seed, which are rarely ripened with us, Miller directs that they should be sown in light earth soon after they are ripe, and placed under a frame during the winter. In the spring the plants will appear, and, when fit to remove, may be planted in a warm border.

Flowers in July till September. Cultivated in Chelsea-garden, in 1706.’  The variety latifolium, is figured, differing from the type in having smaller flowers and leaves. [BM t.1867/1816].  

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues only [T.568/1850].

Notes

Hypericum olympicum Blanco (1837) = Hypericum cistifolium Lam.

Hypericum olympicum Sm. (1806) = Hypericum adenotrichum Spach