About
A sparsely branched, medium-sized evergreen sub-shrub of sprawling habit, with appealing glaucous, pinnate leaves to 45cm in length. Small, tubular maroon flowers in erect racemes to 30cm in length in spring and summer.
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
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Patio and container plants
Native toSouth Africa (Cape)
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 propagate 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)