Plant of the Week

Spotted St. John’s–wort
Hypericum punctatum Lam.
other common names: St. John’s–wort
Hypericum: the ancient Greek name for this genus
Punctatum: from Latin, meaning generally “dotted,” for the conspicuous marking of black and clear glandular dots on its leaves and flowers
St. John’s–wort family: Hypericaceae (The family name is derived from an ancient legend that the bloodlike spots on the leaves appeared immediately after St. John was beheaded.)

Photograph by Thomas Rosburg, Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie: The Upper Midwest, Second Edition

May Gardening Tip

Mow your lawn to a height of about two inches. The clippings make excellent mulch for flower and vegetable gardens, as long as you haven't treated your yard with herbicide. Keep the lawn well mowed throughout the season - it's one of the best ways to prevent weeds.

Veronica Lorson Fowler with the Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa, Gardening in Iowa and Surrounding Areas