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Melianthus major (Honey bush)

Melianthus major Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 2 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Melianthus major mel-ee-AN-thus MAY-jor Common Name: Honey bush Genus: Melianthus
Honey bush has attractive, 12- to 20-inch-long pinnate leaves with sharply toothed silver-green leaflets. It bears spike-like racemes of oddly scented brownish crimson to brick-red flowers from late spring to midsummer.
 Care: Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Shelter from cold and wind, and protect from excessive winter moisture. Where not hardy, grow in a cold greenhouse and plant or stand outside in summer. Or treat as a perennial; it will resprout annually from the base where temperatures do not fall below 23°F.
 Propagation: Root basal or softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer.
 Problems: Spider mites and whiteflies under glass.
Height 6 ft. to 10 ft.
Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Growth Habit Spreads
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Medium Moisture
Characteristics Fragrant Flowers; Showy Foliage
Bloom Time Spring; Summer
Flower Color Red Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest
Type Shrubs

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