Melianthus major

Melianthus major, the Honey Flower or Great Honey Bush, is a fast-growing evergreen shrub from South Africa with glaucous-green pinnate foliage that is deeply divided and combed at the margins giving it a very exotic appearance. It creates a many-branched medium-height shrub and often suckers vigourously from the base. 

Melianthus major has distinctively exotic brownish-red flowerspikes borne on the end of tall woody stems and in milder areas - where the foliage has survived winter - these flowers are produced on the previous year's growth in early spring. In colder regions the leaves and stems are cut down by the frost and it should be treated as a herbaceous perennial and pruned back to the base from where the new growth will appear. In either situation the roots should be given a thick winter mulch. Depending on the region and the severity of the winter, wrapping the entire plant in several layers of horticultural fleece may be enough to see it through the winter without losing its top growth.

Melianthus major is a distinctive plant and its serrated pinnate leaves and fast growth have made it very popular plant in exotic gardens. It needs a sunnny aspect and in the UK a warm sheltered position with a rich moist soil will see it put on the most growth. Extra winter care as outlined above will usually be needed.