Shrubby Hare's Ear
Bupleurum fruticosum · Apiaceae
📷 Lord Koxinga · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around shrubby hare's ear and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, thick and leathery
- Flowering
- Summer (June to August), small yellow flowers in umbels
- Mature size
- Approximately 2 m tall × 1.5 m wide
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Hardy to around -10 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean region, south-east France
- Soil type
- Well-drained, stony, tolerates chalky soil
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Absolutely dry to draining soil, full sun: this small Mediterranean shrub is extremely self-sufficient once established. Very little watering after 2 years, even during prolonged drought.
The common mistake
Over-helping it with watering and amendments encourages a soft, less durable plant.
The pro's trick
Light pruning in July (after flowering) naturally opens it up; no aggressive cutting, it manages just fine on its own.
Care
Sunlight
Shrubby hare's ear demands full sun exposure for a dense shape and generous flowering. Plant it in a sheltered spot away from cold winds if you're at the limit of its hardiness range. In shade, the plant will become leggy and flower far less abundantly.
Watering
This is a very water-economical plant, perfectly suited to dry and Mediterranean regions. Water moderately at planting and during summer if there's prolonged drought. Once well established, it thrives on natural rainfall alone. Avoid excess moisture, especially in winter.
Soil
Shrubby hare's ear prefers light, stony and well-drained soil. Chalky, rocky or poor ground suits it perfectly. Improve heavy soil with sand or gravel at planting time to ensure optimal drainage and prevent root rot.
Pruning
Light pruning after flowering (late August) keeps a compact, bushy shape. Cut stems back by a third to encourage branching. Remove dead or damaged wood in spring. Never prune severely: the plant recovers poorly from old wood.
Fertiliser
Shrubby hare's ear requires little nutrient input. A single annual application of balanced fertiliser in spring is more than enough. On naturally rich or amended soil, fertiliser isn't essential. Excess nitrogen encourages foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
This is a robust plant, rarely affected by pests or diseases. In very humid regions, watch out for root rot due to insufficient drainage. Scale insects may occasionally appear under glass or in very hot climates, but rarely outdoors.
Did you know?
Shrubby hare's ear is a Mediterranean plant historically used in the region for its dyeing and aromatic properties. Its name Bupleurum comes from ancient Greek and literally means 'which pierces the ox', a reference to its rigid and woody stems. Its evergreen leaves and slender habit made it popular in Provençal gardens and dry landscape compositions for centuries.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- CarawayCarum carvi
- MasterwortAstrantia major
- SamphireCrithmum maritimum
- Flat sea hollyEryngium planum
- Crowfoot-leaved hare's-earBupleurum ranunculoides
- Button eryngoEryngium yuccifolium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.