Melianthus major/Honey Bush/Evergreen Shrub/Seeds

Description

An unusual and dramatic shrub, with large serrated grey/blue leaves and dark-red flowers. The flowers come out on large spikes that grow out of the base of leaves in spring, typically April/May and sometimes again in the autumn in a hot year. Mature plants can reach 2-3m in height. They give a wonderful tropical feel to a garden. Melianthus likes a sunny well-drained spot in the garden with rich soil and lots of water. The honey bush grows fast and can be cut back in the winter, although is naturally an evergreen plant. It is half hardy, but will survive a light frost in warmer UK gardens, sending up shoots from the base. However it is best to protect with mulch or fleece over winter. Or grow in large pots which can be sheltered from hard frosts. Sow in spring to autumn. Sow in a tray of seed compost, after gently scarifying (chipping) the seeds, keep at 20-25 degrees Celcius and germination takes 3-4 weeks, sometimes up to two months. Sowing instructions and a colour photo are printed on the packet. Please visit our shop for more seeds. Save on postage - just 85p for delivery of one or more packets of seeds in the UK and £1.75 to the rest of the European Union.