Melianthus villosus

Shrubs

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A compact, half-hardy evergreen subshrub, up to 2m high though often smaller in cultivation, with pinnate leaves to 30cm long, divided into coarsely toothed, aromatic green leaflets. Long, ascending flower spikes are produced from late winter to spring, bearing curious flowers held horizontally in clusters of 2-4. Flowers have hairy, brownish outer sepals, longer on top and short underneath, enclosing the narrow, magenta petals, and are followed by large, bright green seed capsules.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Francoaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Melianthus are evergreen shrubs, often grown as herbaceous perennials, with handsome pinnate leaves and small, tubular flowers in narrow, erect racemes
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: South Africa Lesotho

How to Grow

Cultivation

In milder areas, may be grown outdoors in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds and provide a dry mulch in winter to protect from excessive winter wet. In areas prone to frosts, grow in a cold greenhouse or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter. May be herbaceous in colder areas

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in spring, or by basal softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 7 or pruning group 8

Pests

May be susceptible to red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)