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melianthus major
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Posted by chrissie_gardener kent (My Page) on Sun, Mar 11, 07 at 11:53
| Has anyone else got a melianthus major (herbaceous)growing in their garden that has flowered? I bought one 2 years ago. The instructions said it wasn't frost free so I put it in a sheltered position and i've only noticed today that not only has it doubled in size it appears to be flowering. It has these sort of red/orange type bracts. I'm sure they're not leaves as I can see new leaves appearing as well I would be most interested to hear from anyone that has one that's flowered. My attraction to it today was that a butterfly had landed on it and wouldn't go away as if it liked the smell of the plant. My only concern is that it's trebled in size, would it die if I cut it back after flowering? Any information greatly welcome |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: melianthus major
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| This plant is adapted to winter growth, spring flowering, and summer just getting through the heat in South Africa. All this gets adjusted a little for our climate. Think of it a little like an Oriental Poppy on steroids! You can hack it back after flowering, or when it starts to look tatty in summer. This will encourage new growth and more flowering next year. Unless we get a winter hard enough to kill the top growth, I think it will rapidly get out of hand. It will sucker and treble in size each year until you have a monster. The flowers are pollinated by birds in South Africa, but produce masses of nectar that will attract insects too. |
RE: melianthus major
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| Thanks for that, shrubs n bulbs. I had no idea it was going to take off like it did. I've got lots of Cannas planted nearby which the plant is swamping at the moment but I shall certainly cut it back after it's finished flowering as I love its foliage and the insects do seem to like it. |
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