Melianthus comosus

One of the hardiest Melianthus species, being found at up to 2000m asl in South Africa and perfectly amenable to cultivation in the UK if not too desperately cold. The slightly shiny, green, pinnate, heavily serrated foliage with deeply impressed veins is smaller than that of M. major and slightly hairy under. Clusters of orange/scarlet flowers with copious black nectar in spring/summer, followed by inflated pods. Height 1.5m. Hardy to approximately -5c as a shrub, this will come back from the base each year as a herbaceous plant. Sun and well drained soil.