Intermediate
skill rating
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Melianthus major (Honey flower)
3 hours care
per year
per year
2.5m
Max height
Max height
2.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Melianthus major
Other names
Honey flower, Honey bush, Great honey flower
Genus
Melianthus Melianthus
Species
M. major - M. major is a sprawling medium-sized evergreen shrub with attractive glaucous, pinnate leaves and racemes of small, tubular maroon flowers.
Melianthus major is: Evergreen
Fragrance
The flower is scented.
Habit
Arching, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Dark-purple in Spring; Dark-purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Melianthus major (Honey flower) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
City, Hedging/Screens, Beds and borders, Wallside and trellises, Architectural, Containers
Cultivation
Plant in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds and dry mulch in winter to protect from excessive winter wet. Or plant in a container and keep outside over the summer and bring inside in late autumn.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
The soft white-green leaves are a good companion to plants with purple flowers
Botanical name
Melianthus major
Other names
Honey flower, Honey bush, Great honey flower
Genus
Melianthus Melianthus
Species
M. major - M. major is a sprawling medium-sized evergreen shrub with attractive glaucous, pinnate leaves and racemes of small, tubular maroon flowers.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
The flower is scented.
Habit
Arching, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Dark-purple in Spring; Dark-purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Melianthus major (Honey flower) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
City, Hedging/Screens, Beds and borders, Wallside and trellises, Architectural, Containers
Cultivation
Plant in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds and dry mulch in winter to protect from excessive winter wet. Or plant in a container and keep outside over the summer and bring inside in late autumn.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
The soft white-green leaves are a good companion to plants with purple flowers
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Melianthus major
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