or shrubby hare’s ear
Let’s start with the family to which Bupleurum fruticosum belongs: formerly known as Umbelliferae (indicating slightly domed flower shape with spokes like an umbrella), it is now called Apiaceae. Apis is the Latin name for ‘bee’ and these are among the myriad of insects that are attracted to the many members of this group. It is the 16th largest family of flowering plants, which includes many herbs such as parsley, fennel and cumin, also our lovely Orlaya, Daucus carota the wild carrot and a great favourite of mine – sweet cicely. Among the relatives, there are however a good number of toxic horrors such as giant hogweed, fool’s parsley and many different species of hemlock.
From mid-summer onwards, the terminal clusters (10cm across) of tiny, sun-yellow flowers are freely held above the faintly waxy, blue-green leaves. The whole effect is relaxed and airy, yet structural at the same time. It can attain 2m in height and width but may be hard pruned in mid to late spring. Bupleurum fruticosum is unusual in being one of the few shrubby members of its family, and being a native of the Mediterranean and southern Europe, it is very tolerant of quite harsh conditions: poor soil, drought, coastal exposure, also salt-laden winds.
Cuttings are not the easiest, and seeds must (like all umbellifers) be sown fresh. Either way, the young plants can be slow off the blocks but they romp away in their second year and thereafter will provide you with a pollinator’s paradise.
NB Louise has published a beautifully produced book of her plant profiles – A Plant for Each Week of the Year. It costs £9.99 and is for sale in our online shop here.
More NB If you’re not already a subscriber and you’d like a bit more gardening chitchat from the3growbags, please type your email address here and we’ll send you a new post every Saturday morning.
One reply on “Bupleurum fruticosum”
Fabulous selection of gardens, one or two new to me, thanks!