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Garden Diary
Date purchased or acquired:
Where acquired:
Location in the garden:
Observations:
The next time you are buying perennials please look for our helpful labels and blue pots, and remember "The best perennials come out of the blue"!
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Melianthus major
Honeybush |
USDA Zone: 9-10 |
Plant number: 1.359.100
A spectacular specimen foliage plant, particularly effective in containers or in a prime frontal position in the border. This forms a large clump of blue-green leaves, looking almost like some kind of exotic fern. Well worth growing as an annual in colder climates. Where hardy, this can form a large woody bush with big spikes of reddish-brown fragrant flowers in early summer. Sometimes called Peanut Butter Plant, because of the scent of the leaves when rubbed.In Zones 9 and higher this will often survive the winter. Protect from hard frost with a mulch of dry straw or similar organic material. To control the size, cut stems back in winter, leaving only two to three buds at the base. Where hardy this can grow up to 8 feet tall by 6 feet wide. In colder regions, either treat as an annual or grow in containers to winter indoors in a cool but frost-free place. Evergreen in Zones 9 and 10.
Further details for
Melianthus major
Optimal Growing
Conditions |
Appearance and
Characteristics |
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil Type
Sandy or
Clay
Soil pH
Neutral or
Alkaline or
Acid
Soil Moisture
Average or
Moist
Care Level
Moderate
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Flower Colour
Brown
Red
Blooming Time
Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Spring
Foliage Color
Blue
Grey Green
Plant Uses & Characteristics
Accent: Good Texture/Form
Border
Containers
Fragrant
Massed
Specimen
Height
90-180 cm
35-70 inches
Spread
90-180 cm
35-70 inches
Foot Traffic
None
Growth Rate
Medium
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Disclaimer: This information is presented for reference only. This plant is not currently part of our Heritage Perennials lineup.
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