- Botanical name: Melianthus major
- Family: Melianthaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Red
Silver
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Formerly grown as a greenhouse and conservatory foliage plant, Melianthus major can be grown outside in mild regions. It has spectacular, grey-green leaves with deeply serrated edges, and occasionally tubular, red-brown flowers in summer. It makes a dramatic statement in a sunny, sheltered border or exotic garden scheme. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Grow Melianthus major in well-drained soil in full sun, ideally against the shelter of a south-facing wall. Alternatively grow it in a container, which you can move indoors in autumn. To stop it getting leggy, cut back in early spring. Protect from winter frost.
How to grow Melianthus major
-
Plant size
2.25m height
2m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Tender
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
Melianthus major and wildlife
Melianthus major has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Melianthus major poisonous?
Melianthus major has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
