Intermediate
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
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
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
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)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
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
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
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
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By garden designer Charlie Bloom. The Colour Box garden is a celebration of people helping people within the horticultural community. It has no conceptual purpose or meaning. read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Melianthus major
There are 11 active discussions about Melianthus major (Honey flower)
View all discussions