To go with your chocolate garden… Melianthus major (peanut butter plant). It’s a weird, dramatic evergreen shrub with large, serrated leaves typically grown for its striking foliage. And yes, it really smells like peanut butter. Hardy to Zone 8, it often dies back after a frost, but leaps back in spring.
Catherine Jevans says
My melianthus major has suffered from the frost – how do i/ can i rescue it ? It was thriving in a pot on our south facing decking and now looks rather sad.
bill says
There are obviously several plants that smell like peanut butter but the one I’m familiar with that the leaves smell just like peanut butter are Datura (jimsonweed). It’s very poison.
Laurie Marrs says
The peanut butter plant which I grow in my south facing flower bed is Melianthus major, native to South Africa. It usually dies back after below zero temperatures and some snow and frost, but it regrows in Spring. (I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. This year it grew to about 4 feet tall.
Andrea Bellamy says
It’s such a fun one, isn’t it Laurie? I love its foliage and unusual smell!
Tracie Nadiger says
I have been told this plant deters deer. Have you had any experience with this.? Would love to incorporate in our blueberry garden if this is the case. Also live in beautiful Victoria BC
Andrea Bellamy says
Hi Tracie – I don’t have first-hand experience with Melianthus major’s deer resistance, thankfully, but reliable resources do label it deer resistant.
sharon houser says
I am in NW Washington state, not too far from BC. Mine is over 6 feet tall but leggy with leaves starting at 3-4 feet up. I am thinking of cutting that part back in the fall but I would be sad if it didn’t come back. HELP! Any advice would be appreciated.
Patti Breidenbach says
I live in a deer infested town, beautiful to look at but deadly on plants! Nothing planted is sacred but they have not touched my Melianthus plant since I planted it two years ago.
Essence says
My Peanut butter plant leaves are starting to turn brown one of my moms friends gave it to me how do I keep it from dying