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 an erect to spreading, borderline hardy, evergreen shrub or subshrub with pinnate leaves divided into narrowly ovate, coarsely toothed, grey-green to blue-green leaflets and spike-like racemes of maroon to reddish-brown flowers from late spring to midsummer.
Melianthus major is: Evergreen
Fragrance
The flower is scented.
Habit
Erect, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Maroon, Reddish-brown in Spring; Reddish-brown, Maroon in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green, Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 7 or 8.
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 with shelter from cold, drying winds. Apply a thick, dry mulch in winter to protect from excessive winter wet. Or, plant in a container, setting it outside in summer and overwintering under glass in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
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 an erect to spreading, borderline hardy, evergreen shrub or subshrub with pinnate leaves divided into narrowly ovate, coarsely toothed, grey-green to blue-green leaflets and spike-like racemes of maroon to reddish-brown flowers from late spring to midsummer.
Native to
South Africa
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
The flower is scented.
Habit
Erect, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Maroon, Reddish-brown in Spring; Reddish-brown, Maroon in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green, Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 7 or 8.
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 with shelter from cold, drying winds. Apply a thick, dry mulch in winter to protect from excessive winter wet. Or, plant in a container, setting it outside in summer and overwintering under glass in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
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)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
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: | 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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