Our first plant of the week is a plant we have used in many projects and always try to add into a planting schedule where possible.
Melianthus major is currently seeding now which reminded me to add this plant to our plant of the week post.
Melianthus major commonly know as the honey bush is an evergreen bushy shrub with fantastic serrated pinnate foliage. This plant is perfect in a small sheltered space. The amazing foliage and textures create a sculptural element into the garden. It enjoys a sheltered full sun aspect and is advised to protect the leaves from a hard frost making it not the most accessible of plants, but the RHS has awarded it as an AGM plant showing it is a hardy stable plant.
The Melianthus produces tall erect maroon flowers in the spring and summer up to 30cm in length. The late summer sees these flowers turn into a string of geometrical seed pods which add great interest to the garden.
A great space to see these plants showing off is Vauxhall’s Bonnington Square (pictured), a bohemian space created by a community cooperative involving the Chelsea winner Dan Pearson.
Ultimate height: 1.5-2.5 metres
Ultimate spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height: 5-10 years