Melianthus major aka Tall Cape Honey Flower

Melianthus major is an evergreen shrub from South Africa’s Cape region. It belongs to the Francoaceae family and grows in subtropical conditions. Common names include honey bush and honey flower. Wild plants grow in damp, sandy places. In gardens, its bold leaves give beds a strong shape. It also suits wall-side borders, patios, and large pots.

Plants reach about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres] tall and wide. They take five to ten years to reach full size. The shrub has few branches and a loose, spreading form. Its pinnate leaves have a blue-green cast and toothed edges. Each leaf can reach about 1.5 feet [0.45 metres] long. Chicago Botanic Garden describes their scent as like salty peanut butter. The leaves remain on the plant through the year.

Small, tube-shaped flowers form upright racemes above the leaves. Their colour ranges from dark red to maroon. Each flower cluster can reach 1 foot [0.3 metres] long. The RHS gives the flowering season as spring and summer. Chicago Botanic Garden lists January through April, so timing varies between accounts. The flowers have a honey scent and produce sweet nectar. PFAF also records their use as a source of violet dye.

Grow this shrub in full sun with shelter from cold winds. Chicago Botanic Garden also lists part shade as suitable. The RHS recommends soil with moderate fertility that drains well. Keep the soil moist, but avoid wet winter conditions. Chalk, clay, loam, and sand can all suit it. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. The RHS rates it H3, suited to mild UK areas. A dry winter mulch helps guard against excess winter wet. Plants in pots can spend summer outside. Move them under glass in late autumn for winter shelter.

Under glass, red spider mites and whiteflies may cause trouble. Honey fungus is a less frequent risk. Chicago Botanic Garden lists resistance to deer. Propagate through division in early spring or basal softwood cuttings in spring. PFAF records edible nectar, but Chicago warns all parts poison people and animals. PFAF also identifies the root as poisonous. These conflicting reports do not establish that eating nectar is safe. PFAF records root use for wounds and snake bites. Such records do not establish a safe home treatment.