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Honey Bush

Melianthus Major

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Overview

The Honey Bush (Melianthus major), a South African native, is an eye-catching perennial prized for its serrated, blue-green pinnate leaves that add a striking texture to gardens. It features reddish-brown, nectar-rich flowers, which bloom on towering spikes and attract pollinators. Fast-growing, it can reach up to 6-10 feet in height and 3-6 feet in width. Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater LowZones 9–11Type ShrubClimate Subtropical
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — semi-evergreen shrub renowned for its unique ornamental features; blue-green pinnate leaves that add a striking, image 58

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
Low
USDA zones
9–11

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Shrub
Family
Melianthaceae
Climate
Subtropical

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Photos (112)

Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — The Honey Bush (Melianthus major); it features reddish-brown, nectar-rich flowers, which bloom on towering spikes, image 76
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — blue-green pinnate leaves that add a striking texture to gardens; though it's tolerant of mild drought once established
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — It features reddish-brown, nectar-rich flowers, which bloom on towering spikes and attract pollinators; shrub for, image 54
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — this plant thrives in USDA zones 8 to 10; the nectar-rich blooms are magnets for pollinators such as birds and bees, image 85
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established; hence the name.<br><br>From late
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — demanding a sizable area in the garden for proper display; prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, image 62
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — blue-green pinnate leaves that add a striking texture to gardens; though it's tolerant of mild drought once, image 53
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — shrub with red blooms
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — the Honey Bush produces striking; is an eye-catching perennial prized for its serrated
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — is an eye-catching perennial prized for its serrated; the Honey Bush can reach upwards of 6 to 10 feet tall with a, image 77
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — Note that all parts of the Melianthus major are highly toxic if ingested; it should be sheltered from strong winds, and in
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — hence the name.<br><br>From late spring to early summer; pruning can be done in spring to maintain shape and encourage bushier
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — red flowers in the garden; semi-evergreen shrub renowned for its unique ornamental features
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — are deeply serrated and can grow up to 15 to 18 inches long, image 38
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — the Honey Bush produces striking; is an eye-catching perennial prized for its serrated, image 90
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — The nectar-rich blooms are magnets for pollinators such as birds and bees; pendulous racemes that can extend up to 2 feet in
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — the Honey Bush can reach upwards of 6 to 10 feet tall with a spread of approximately 3 to 6 feet
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — shrub with red blooms; the Honey Bush produces striking, image 74
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — hence the name.<br><br>From late spring to early summer; pruning can be done in spring to maintain shape and, image 64
Honey Bush (Melianthus Major) — Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established; hence the, image 56
Melianthus Major
Melianthus Major
Melianthus Major
Melianthus Major
Photographs by 11 contributors

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