Hypericum: The Berry Accent for Bouquets

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Hypericum gives you stems of glossy little berries that make a bouquet fuller, more textured and a little autumnal even in spring. The berries come in red, pink, white, green, peach and almost black, so florists can match hypericum to any palette. Here is what the plant is, what it pairs best with and how long it lasts in a vase.

What is hypericum

Hypericum is the Latin name for St John’s wort. Florists, however, do not use the medicinal wild plant but decorative garden forms, mainly hybrids of tall tutsan (Hypericum × inodorum). It is a low shrub with yellow star-shaped flowers in summer, followed by berry-like fruits. These smooth berries, 1–1.5 cm across and borne in clusters, are what decorates a bouquet.

Berry colours and how to choose them

• Red and burgundy — for winter, Christmas and autumn bouquets, paired with red roses.
• Pink and peach — for soft romantic arrangements.
• White and cream — for wedding bouquets and buttonholes.
• Green — for fresh green bouquets and monochrome designs.
• Brown and almost black — for contrasting boho-style bouquets.

What to pair hypericum with

Hypericum is a filler that works as an accent. It pairs well with roses, chrysanthemums, alstroemerias, tanacetum and eucalyptus. In bouquets for men the berries add restraint and texture; in autumn arrangements they warm up the palette alongside sunflowers and leucadendron. Red berries with white roses and fir are a winter classic.

View full-size photoHypericum berries come in red, pink, white, green, peach and almost black.

Vase life

Hypericum is one of the longest-lasting parts of a bouquet: the berries hold for 2 weeks or more. Cut the stems at an angle, strip leaves below the waterline and change the water every 2–3 days. The leaves may wilt before the berries — simply pick them off.

Are hypericum berries edible

No. The berries of decorative St John’s wort are not edible, so place a hypericum bouquet out of reach of small children and pets. If a child or pet swallows a berry and behaves unusually, contact a doctor or vet.

See more in bouquet greenery and our florist’s glossary.

FAQ

Is hypericum the same as St John’s wort?

Yes, Hypericum is the genus of St John’s wort, but bouquets use decorative garden hybrids with large berries.

How long does hypericum last in a vase?

Usually 2 weeks or more — the berries outlast most flowers in a bouquet.

Do hypericum berries come in blue?

There are no naturally blue berries. The most common colours are red, pink, white, green, peach and brown.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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