Melianthus major

Sunset

Melianthus major

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Zones 8, 9, 12-28, H1, H2

Full, Partial

Moderate, Minimal

Honey Bush
Melianthaceae
Annuals, Evergreen, Shrubs

Native to South Africa. This softwooded plant grows rapidly to 6–12 ft. tall and 8–10 ft. wide but is easily kept much shorter. Irregular habit, with stems that may be semierect or sprawling and spreading. Bold-looking foliage: grayish green, foot-long leaves are divided into strongly toothed leaflets. Foliage is malodorous when brushed against or bruised. Foot-tall spikes of reddish brown, 1-in. flowers bloom in late winter, early spring.

Adapts to most soils. Use for tropical effects; good as an accent plant. To get a tall shrub, stake a few stems; for a sprawling, bulkier plant, shorten some stems in early spring before newgrowth begins. This is often grown as an annual out of zone.