Honey Flower

Grown mainly for its sumptuous, deeply divided, glaucous foliage with its heavily toothed edges, Melianthus major is a medium-sized, evergreen sub-shrub with a rather sprawling habit. The leaves smell of peanut butter if rubbed. Small, tubular, maroon flowers are borne in drooping, honey-scented racemes, though usually only in hot springs and summers, or if overwintered under cover. Not for colder areas, unless it’s grown in large pots and brought in for the winter. It will survive average winters in mild and coastal areas, especially if planted against a warm wall and the roots are protected in winter with a dry mulch; if cut down by frost it may then sprout from the base. Honey flower holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any moderately fertile, moist, very well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Spring to autumn
Hardiness: Half-hardy
Height: 7’3” (2.25m) Spread: 6’6” (2m)