About
A large, evergreen sub-shrub to 2.5m with a few, more-or-less upright stems from the base with very large, divided, blue-grey-green leaves with about 15 jagged-edged leaflets and pink stalks. In a good summer will produce cylindrical flower spikes about 30cm long with dark red stems and very dark red flowers followed by inflated, pale green seedpods.
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 hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
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)