Giant Honey Flower

Great honey flower is a South African evergreen shrub grown for its large, deeply divided blue-green leaves and upright spikes of dark maroon flowers. Its bold foliage makes a strong architectural accent, while its eventual size and cold sensitivity call for a sheltered, well-drained position. ## Form and flowering The leaves can reach about 18 inches long, with toothed leaflets and a glaucous gray-green surface. The RHS lists a mature height and spread of 5–8 feet; a UC Cooperative Extension garden profile reports an 8–12-foot plant, so size varies with climate and cultivation. Tubular flowers rise above the leaves in narrow racemes. RHS records spring and summer bloom; Chicago Botanic Garden reports January through April in its local garden, illustrating how flowering time shifts by region. ## Growing conditions Grow in full sun or light shade in fertile, well-drained soil. The RHS recommends keeping the soil moist but drained and sheltering the plant from cold, drying winds and excessive winter wet. A California garden account reports that established plants tolerate dry periods. The species is native to South Africa’s Cape region and may be grown as a shrub or herbaceous perennial in colder climates. ## Safety Chicago Botanic Garden reports that all parts are poisonous to people and animals. Site it where children and pets will not chew the foliage or flowers, and use gloves when handling if you have sensitive skin. ## Maintenance In cold, wet winter climates, protect the roots with dry mulch or grow the plant in a container that can be moved under cover in late autumn. Sources: [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/84304/melianthus-major/details/), [Chicago Botanic Garden](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-finder/melianthus-major-honey-flower), and [UC Agriculture and Natural Resources](https://ucanr.edu/blog/under-solano-sun/article/melianthus-major).