Tall tutsan: complete guide

Overview

Tall tutsan (Hypericum x inodorum) is a popular garden shrub from the St. John's wort family (Hypericaceae), a hybrid that arose between Hypericum androsaemum and Hypericum hircinum. The botanical name inodorum ("without scent") refers to the fact that the crushed foliage of this hybrid, unlike its parent Hypericum hircinum, carries almost none of the familiar goat-like odor.

This semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub is prized above all for its striking berries, which change color after flowering from green to red and eventually almost black. Popular cultivars such as Hypericum x inodorum 'Elstead' with coral-red berries and 'Rheingold' with golden-yellow autumn foliage are widely used in borders and as cut foliage by florists. With gardenworld.app you can easily see how this colorful shrub fits among your other border plants.

The parent species are naturally distributed across southern Europe, from Corsica and France to Italy and Spain, where they grow in damp, semi-shaded spots. Hypericum x inodorum itself is a garden-bred hybrid, selected by European nurseries as far back as the nineteenth century to combine the ornamental berries of Hypericum androsaemum with the more compact habit of Hypericum hircinum.

Appearance and bloom

Tall tutsan grows to roughly 60 to 100 centimeters tall and about as wide, with a dense, slightly spreading habit. The oval-lanceolate leaves are fresh green, 5 to 9 centimeters long, and in some cultivars such as 'Rheingold' turn yellow-orange in autumn.

From June through August the shrub produces a rich display of bright yellow, five-petaled flowers 2 to 3 centimeters across, with a tuft of golden stamens at the heart. After flowering the characteristic berries form, green at first, then turning red or coral, and almost black by the time of late harvest. This berry display lasts from August into October and is one of the main reasons the shrub is so popular with flower arrangers.

Ideal location

This shrub performs best in full sun to partial shade; at least four to six hours of sun a day gives the richest berry set. In deep shade the plant flowers less and produces smaller berries.

Tall tutsan is versatile in mixed borders, cottage gardens and as a loose group planting in the front garden. Thanks to its broad adaptability to different soil types the shrub also suits gardens with variable light conditions. Use the design tool on gardenworld.app to check whether your front garden gets enough sun for a rich berry harvest, and experiment with placement among other seasonal planting.

Soil

This St. John's wort is not fussy and tolerates both sandy and clay soil, as long as the ground is not permanently waterlogged. A pH between 6.0 and 7.5 is ideal, and the plant also grows well in slightly limey soil.

When planting, work some compost into the soil to help establishment, especially in poor sandy ground. On heavy clay a layer of coarse sand or compost improves drainage and prevents root rot during wet winters. An annual handful of general garden fertilizer in spring supports flowering and berry set without overfeeding the plant.

For container culture on a patio or in a small front garden, a generous pot filled with potting mix and a little grit is recommended for adequate drainage. Refresh the top layer of potting mix each spring and give a little extra liquid feed during summer to keep flowering strong.

Watering

Tall tutsan likes evenly moist soil, especially during the first year after planting. During dry summer periods water twice a week so the soil doesn't dry out completely.

Once established the shrub is reasonably tolerant of short dry spells, though prolonged drought leads to fewer berries and early leaf drop. Container-grown plants need water more often than those in open ground, since the root ball dries out faster. In both cases ensure good drainage, since permanently wet feet are more damaging than a short dry period.

Pruning

Tall tutsan flowers on new wood, which means a firm pruning in early spring actually encourages flowering and berry set. Around mid-March, cut the entire shrub back to 15 to 20 centimeters above the ground.

This hard pruning keeps the shrub compact and stimulates vigorous new shoots that flower generously in summer. Also remove dead and weak wood from the center of the shrub each year to let in air and light. Flower arrangers who want to harvest berry branches can leave part of the shrub unpruned for an earlier and longer-lasting berry harvest.

Maintenance calendar

March: Hard pruning back to 15-20 cm above the ground; start of the growing season. April-May: New shoots develop quickly; first feeding. June-August: Main flowering period with bright yellow blooms; water regularly during dry spells. August-September: Berries change color from green to red and coral. October: Berries reach their deepest color; a good time to harvest branches for flower arranging. November-February: Dormant period; the shrub tolerates frost well without extra protection.

Winter hardiness

Tall tutsan is hardy to about -15 to -20 degrees Celsius, corresponding to USDA zone 6 to 9. That means the shrub survives most winters across Europe without problems, though the above-ground growth can die back somewhat in severe frost.

During prolonged severe cold the foliage may drop or discolor, but the roots usually remain unharmed and the plant simply resprouts in spring. A layer of mulch around the base in the first autumn after planting gives young plants extra protection. Older, established shrubs rarely need winter protection.

Companion plants

Tall tutsan combines well with other summer-flowering shrubs such as Buddleja, Deutzia and Hydrangea, and with perennials like Salvia and Aster that share the same flowering period. The colorful berries make an attractive contrast against blue or purple autumn flowers.

In a cottage garden the shrub also pairs well with roses and lavender, while in a wilder border Sedum and ornamental grasses provide an attractive backdrop for the winter berry branches. Check gardenworld.app to see which combinations suit the soil and light conditions of your own front garden best.

The berries of tall tutsan also attract birds, which happily feed on them in late autumn and winter, making the shrub extra valuable in a pollinator-friendly or bird-friendly front garden. Pair the plant with native berry-bearing shrubs such as elder or blackthorn for an even richer food source for garden birds.

Closing

Tall tutsan is a rewarding, colorful shrub that delivers months of flowers and berry display for minimal care. The combination of bright yellow flowers, colorful berries and easy pruning makes this hypericum a great choice for any mixed border.

Cultivars such as 'Elstead' and 'Rheingold' are available at most garden centers, including Intratuin and Gamma, and from specialist shrub nurseries. Design your front garden with gardenworld.app and discover exactly where tall tutsan will shine among your other planting.