St. Johns Wort: Number 2 in a Garden Photo Series

It’s been great to read up on photography from various HubPages writers and try some trial and error with some shots from my mid-spring garden blooms. This week’s cloudy weather and cool temps were just too good to pass up and I’ve been able to experiment with lights, camera, and a little action since the slightest breeze sends my flowers dancing.

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It’s been hot enough to bring out my St. John’s Wort blooms and they were shining in the dusky lighting by the time I made it to this plant with my camera. The blooms range in color from a bright golden yellow to a deep spring orange as they begin to fade, and it seems that white light is always reflecting or glistening from some angle or another. The rain added the happy element of droplets for my photos.

St. John's wort is quite old-fashioned in its name and uses. Native to the other side of the world, it is now widespread in the U.S. with many Americans considering it a noxious weed due to the fact that it has killed some livestock and taken over gardens.

However, there are many others who hold the old variety in high regard for medicinal purposes and the new varieties for their ornamental value. If you are thinking of planting St. John's Wort, give some consideration to the purpose you have in mind.

Easy to grow in almost any soil or location with average care, it can take a little neglect, but if you want it to be at its best don’t let its feet stay wet, or let it dry out for too long. It is propagated both from seed and cuttings, and will reproduce prolifically if planted in a spot that you can just let it grow in without pruning.

It attracts visitors like butterflies and bees, as well as all sorts of other little buggies that like nectar. People visitors always recognize the name with an inane comment that goes something like, “You mean that’s the herb, like the in health food stores?” They immediately feel silly, but I just smile and say, “Yes, isn’t it an amazing plant? It adds so much to my garden!”

As much as I hate to do it, I’m going to have to prune mine back after it finishes flowering this year, but I’m trying to think of a place I can put another one that I can give it freedom to grow in. The up side is that pruning is easy and sometimes promotes another round of blooms.

If you plan to grow St. John’s Wort to use for medicinal purposes be sure and read both the pros and cons about the benefits and concerns. There can be some serious side effects and you should always discuss any health issues with a professional before deciding whether to and how to use herbal remedies, particularly if you are taking any other supplements or prescriptions.

Hope you enjoy my photo montage. Maybe it will inspire you to incorporate this busy bee plant into your garden so you can practice your photography skills because the flowers absolutely do not look like anybody’s warts!

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