About
A sparsely branched, medium-sized, evergreen sub-shrub with hollow stems and boldly toothed leaves comprised of 5 or 7 leaflets. In spring, short sprays of light red to orange flowers 1.5cm long are produced beneath the leaves.
About the genus
Melianthus are evergreen shrubs, often grown as herbaceous perennials, with handsome pinnate leaves and small, tubular flowers in narrow, erect racemes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toSouthern Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds and provide a dry mulch in winter to protect from excessive winter wet. Alternatively, grow in a container and keep outside over the summer and bring under glass in late autumn
PruningPruning group 7 or pruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by basal softwood cuttings in spring or by division in early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)