Honeybush

Need a lift? Try something exotic! Melianthus major (honeybush) has extraordinary foliage that can be blended with Phormium, Euphorbia and ornamental grasses for a dramatic look that lasts all summer long; no deadheading required!

The bold, toothed leaflets on these arching folded leaves bring a unique and highly textural look to any planting. They look particularly good after a rainshower when they fill with raindrops. Although named for its fragrant leaves, honeybush smells more like peanut butter than honey.

The cool blue finish of the leaves is a hint that this beauty loves a sunny location with well-drained soil; try it on a southern exposure. In tropical locales honeybush can grow to 3 m (10 ft.) tall, but we are more likely to see it reach half that height. Hardy to zone 8, it can live unprotected in some coastal locations and remains somewhat evergreen. In many areas it will die back to the crown during cool winter months. Its bloom is brick red and held high above its foliage, but in our climate, flowers are not common and plants are grown mainly for their foliage. This fast grower can be easily propagated by softwood cuttings in the spring.

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