Melianthus major Purple Leaved

This is a truly architectural plant that is half hardy in the UK, but don't let that put you off. Originating in parts of South Africa that experience winter rainfall, it is evergreen in the wild. Here in the UK it is hardy in sheltered and coastal areas in all but the harshest winters, though it will need some protection in more exposed positions.

In the wild it can look straggly and rather forlorn, but if cut down in spring — either by us or by the cold — a fresh and vigorous new flush of leaves emerges, keeping it looking compact and exotic. Treated this way it rarely grows taller than 100cm and gives a dramatic lift to any garden. The foliage is glaucous blue with a purple midrib, and this tone spreads outwards through the pinnate leaflets, which are deeply folded with toothed edges. The stems carry a purple tint too. It looks extraordinary paired with deep purple plants such as Salvia 'Amistad'.

After a hot summer — making it ideal for our changing climate — you may well get spikes of maroon flowers with a sweet scent, which explains its common name of 'Honey Bush'. The leaves apparently smell of peanut butter when crushed, but I find it smells more like Marmite.

Give it full sun to part-shade on moist but well-drained soil of any pH, avoiding cold winds and frost pockets. Foliage colour is better in full sun. A dry mulch around — but not touching — the plant in autumn will help prevent it getting too wet. If you're unsure, grow it in a large pot and move it under cover before the first frosts.

Height x Spread 120cm x 200cm