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Melianthus major 'Antonow's Blue'

Half-hardy Shrub

What is Half-Hardy Shrub?

FROM £14.99

Bigger and bluer foliage than the species

Rare variety providing an exotic feature for pots or borders

One of the most impressive of all foliage shrubs

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Please note: This product cannot be delivered outside the United Kingdom.
Description How to Grow Delivery

Melianthus major ‘Antonow's Blue’ is a choice and hard-to-find variety of the spectacular Honey Bush. This improved form takes what was already one of the most stunning foliage shrubs to a new level.  Melianthus major ‘Antonow's Blue’ is a superb selection that boasts even larger, more boldly textured foliage in a richer shade of blue that shimmers with a silvery patina. The massive, deeply cut, blue-green leaves feature saw-toothed edges creating a dynamic silhouette in borders and containers. Surprisingly, the foliage has a sweet peanut butter fragrance when crushed.

If overwintered with the stems intact, plants also produce strange maroon flower spikes that smell of honey followed by pale green, papery, bladder-like seed pods containing shiny black seeds. However, as a half-hardy shrub, plants are usually cut back to the ground and protected over winter which removes the potential for flowering. This is not a great loss, since it is the sumptuous foliage that makes Melianthus major ‘Antonow's Blue’ such a signature plant.

This theatrical plant is a superb choice for an ornamental border or exotic display where it will grow at break-neck speed, becoming a large, impressive feature by late summer. It works equally well in a large patio container, where the blue-green leaves create a stunning companion to other exotic plants, especially flowers in the hot colour range.

Melianthus major is half-hardy and so will need some protection, such as a thick mulch, to over winter in situ. Alternatively, grow it in a container and move under cover before the first frosts. This striking architectural shrub is well worth the effort. Height 3m (10ft). Spread: 2m (6.5ft).

Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.

Height Up to 3m (10ft)
Spread Up to 2m (6.5ft)

Half-hardy Shrub

full sun

Flowering Months
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1 x 9cm Potted Plant (KH1032)
3 x 9cm Potted Plants (KH1033)

In mild areas, grow in a sunny, warm and sheltered position in free-draining soil. Alternatively grow in a container. Water containerised specimens regularly.

Plants grown in containers are best moved into a cool frost-free greenhouse or conservatory to protect them over winter.

If overwintering in the open border apply a thick dry mulch around the base and protect plants with a layer of breathable insulation such as fleece. In autumn or early spring old stems can be removed to stop plants becoming leggy, although this will inhibit flowering. Plants will reshoot from the woody base but are slow to come into growth so be patient.

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.

Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.

For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.

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