St. John's Wort
This cheery perennial herb is native to Europe and Asian and has naturalized throughout Canada. Easy to grow in full sun and thrives in poor soil. Plants are covered in 2.5 cm bright yellow flowers mid-summer which, when crushed ooze a bright red pigment called hypericin. Traditionally a topical oil was made by immersing flowers and leaf tips in oil until it turned bright red. Some people use for mild depression and insomnia. St. John's Wort is believed to have been named after St. John the Baptist although the common name comes from its traditional flowering and harvesting on St John's day, 24 June. Hardy in zones 4-8