Melianthus consists of evergreen shrubs frequently cultivated as herbaceous perennials. They feature attractive pinnate foliage and produce small, tubular blooms arranged in upright, slender racemes.

Melianthus

Melianthus comosus is a medium-sized, evergreen sub-shrub characterized by its lightly branched structure and hollow stems. Its leaves are distinctly serrated, featuring 5 to 7 leaflets per leaf. During the spring, it produces clusters of small, light red to orange flowers measuring approximately 1.5 cm in length, which emerge beneath the foliage.

Melianthus comosus

Melianthus dregeanus

Melianthus dregeanus subsp. insignis

Melianthus elongatus

Melianthus from Richtersveld, North Cape, South Africa

Melianthus major is a medium-sized evergreen sub-shrub characterized by its sprawling growth and minimal branching. Its attractive, blue-green pinnate leaves can reach lengths of up to 45 cm. During spring and summer, it produces small, tubular maroon flowers arranged in upright racemes that extend to about 30 cm.

Melianthus major

Melianthus major 'Antonow's Blue' is a sizable, evergreen sub-shrub that can reach heights of up to 2.5 meters. It features several mostly upright stems emerging from the base, adorned with large, dissected leaves that exhibit a blue-grey-green hue and consist of approximately 15 serrated leaflets on pink petioles. In favorable summer conditions, this plant will produce elongated flower spikes measuring around 30 centimeters, characterized by dark red stems and deep red blooms, which eventually give way to inflated, pale green seed pods.

Melianthus major 'Antonow's Blue'

Melianthus major 'La Pietra Rossa'

Melianthus major 'Purple Haze' is an evergreen subshrub commonly cultivated as an herbaceous perennial in regions with cooler climates. This variety typically reaches a height of approximately 1.2 meters, featuring bluish-green leaves adorned with purple hues, which are segmented into deeply serrated, oblong leaflets. After a warm summer, it may produce spikes of tubular flowers in a deep red-brown color.

Melianthus major 'Purple Haze'

Melianthus minor

Melianthus pectinatus

Melianthus villosus is a compact, semi-hardy evergreen subshrub that typically reaches heights of around 2 meters, though it often remains smaller in garden settings. Its leaves are pinnate, growing up to 30 cm in length, and consist of coarsely serrated, fragrant green leaflets. From late winter through spring, this plant sends up elongated flower spikes that bear unusual flowers arranged in clusters of 2 to 4, held horizontally. The outer sepals are hairy and brownish, with the upper ones being longer than those beneath, encasing slender magenta petals. Following the flowering period, it produces large, vibrant green seed capsules.