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Expressionisticâ„¢ Tutsans Hypericum androsaemum 'Picasso'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Expressionisticâ„¢ Tutsans:

Phonetic Spelling
hy-PER-ih-kum
Description

Tutsan, or Hypericum androsaemum, can be weedy, even invasive, in some parts of the world. With this in mind, three cultivars ('Matisse', 'Picasso', and 'Pollock' were bred and evaluated at North Carolina State University as part of an effort to develop new, non-invasive nursery crops. All three are triploid, seedless, non-invasive forms of Tutsan with characteristics typical of the species. Special credit goes to Richard Olsen (former Ph.D. student, now at the US National Arboretum) and Clara Trueblood (former M.S. student, now at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens) for their efforts on this project. No patents or trademarks.

The ‘Picasso’ cultivar is a neo-expressionistic integration of surreal colors and abstract patterns and, as with other species of this genus, grows best in USDA zones 6 and 7, in cooler climates such as the Pacific Northwest, and, at maturity, will reach a height of 2 to 3 feet. The common name of tutsan comes from the French words toute (all) and saine (healthy) in reference to old medicinal uses.

The Tutsan is clump forming rather than spreading and it increases freely by self-sowing. It grows best in medium, well drained, loamy, acidic soils. The plant tolerates a wide range of pH and does well in sun or shade, but flowers better in a sunny position. It is also drought tolerant when established. You should mulch the roots in the winter and, if the winter is severe in zone 5, the plant may die back. If so, cut back to the ground and the roots will send up new shoots in the spring.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Wilt and root rot can be a problem in hot and humid climates. Watch for thrips and scale.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#colorful leaves#slopes#interesting leaves#mass planting#showy fruits#edging#nci#variegated#perennial#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#colorful leaves#slopes#interesting leaves#mass planting#showy fruits#edging#nci#variegated#perennial#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hypericum
    Species:
    androsaemum
    Family:
    Hypericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
    Distribution:
    Western Canada and United States
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Horizontal
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit-laden stems are used in cut flower arrangments. Flowers are followed by spherical red fruits that mature to black. Birds are attracted to the fruits and help spread the seed to other locations.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blooms June-August. Star or cup shaped, 5-petaled, golden yellow flowers (3/4 of an inch in diameter) with center clumps of bushy yellow stamens. Blooms in cymes of 3 to 9.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Erect branches densely clad with ovate to oblong variegated leaves (to 4 inches long)
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought