Melianthus major

exotic, quite hardy shrub/herbaceous perennial

Foliage tolerates around -4/5c if the foliage remains you may get the dark red flowers in spring. In most areas however it grows as a herbaceous perennial and if foliage dies off cut down to ground level and new shoots will appear in spring. Here it flowers about every two years on average due to frost severity. Foliage has a pleasant broad bean pod/chocolate smell and for this reason I grow it next to the path so I can touch it.

Height to 8ft spread similar but much reduced where cut down annually. Free draining soil.

2 litre pot.