Melianthus major
( mel - ee - ANTH - us MAY - johr )
At-A-Glance Information
|
Commonly called Honey Bush, Giant Honey Flower, or kruidjie-roer-my-nie (Afrikaans for 'herb-touch-me-not'), this species of evergreen shrub needs partial shade in warmer areas and little to regular water. It is native to South Africa and reaches 6-12 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. These shrubs are grown for their attractive foliage and unusual flowers. Foliage is grey-green and stinks when brushed against or bruised. Flowers are reddish brown and are borne on spikes in late winter and early spring. Great in most soils. Melianthus major grows best in zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map). The genus Melianthus includes six species and is a member of the plant family Francoaceae. Take care when planting these unusual plants in your landscape, as the plant contains toxic compounds. Keep away from children and pets (including horses), and wear protective gear if you may come in contact with the sap.
|
Caring for and pruning Melianthus major shrubs
Plant your Honey Bush in partial to full sun conditions; these plants can tolerate some shade, but foliage color will be better the more sun they get. Ensure that soil is well-draining, loamy, and rich in organic matter. They can grow in acid, neutral, or alkaline soils. Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied once in springtime and again in late summertime.
To get a taller shrub, choose and stake a few stems, and for a more bulky sprawling plant, simply shorten some stems in early spring before new growth begins to emerge. These plants in cooler areas will die to the ground in wintertime, but will regrow completely the following spring when temperatures begin to warm again. Remove damaged or yellowing foliage as it appears to maintain a tidy appearance. Prune spent flower stalks after flowering (although if you would like to collect seed, leave these spent blooms on the plant).
To get a taller shrub, choose and stake a few stems, and for a more bulky sprawling plant, simply shorten some stems in early spring before new growth begins to emerge. These plants in cooler areas will die to the ground in wintertime, but will regrow completely the following spring when temperatures begin to warm again. Remove damaged or yellowing foliage as it appears to maintain a tidy appearance. Prune spent flower stalks after flowering (although if you would like to collect seed, leave these spent blooms on the plant).
Propagation
Melianthus major can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your plant, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Melianthus major by Seed
Propagating Malianthus major by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact) and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Melianthus major by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are pretty easy to spot, they're light brown and dry, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will all split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- Melianthus major seeds have a hard coating that protects them, but this coating also makes it a little difficult to get them to germinate. We can help the process along by scarifying them with sandpaper (or simply rubbing them against an abrasive surface). Do this with as many seeds as you can; they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting shrub you want. Place your seeds in lukewarm water for six hours.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 3-4 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Malianthus major by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact) and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Dawn your protective gear and gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick tuberous section.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.
Melianthus major seeds are contained inside of seed pods left behind after flowers fade. Once they look something like the photo above, they can be taken off the plant and be stored or sown.
|
Melianthus major seeds are small and black.
|
Problems and Pests
These shrubs are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but it is still a good practice to look out for common garden issues, such as:
- Aphids
- Slugs
- Snails
Gallery
Even when not in bloom, these shrubs provide a tropical, lush look in gardens.
|
These interesting flowers can serve as real conversation starters.
|
Melianthus major plants can also serve as cover plants for fences and other outdoor eyesores.
|
Videos
|
All about Honey Bush!
|
These plants can be perennial additions to the garden, resprouting new growth after winter's chill.
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 440, Melianthus major (Honey Bush)
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
