About
This compact, half-hardy evergreen subshrub, up to 2m high though often smaller in cultivation, with pinnate leaves to 30cm long, divided into coarsely toothed, aromatic green leaflets. Flowers have hairy, brownish outer sepals, longer on top and short underneath, enclosing the narrow, magenta petals, and are followed by large, vivid green seed capsules. Long, ascending flower spikes are produced from late winter to spring, bearing curious flowers held horizontally in clusters of 2-4.
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 typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toSouth Africa Lesotho
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationIn milder areas, may be grown outdoors 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. In areas prone to frosts, grow in a cold greenhouse or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter. May be herbaceous in colder areas
PruningPruning group 7 or pruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in spring, or by basal softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)