Crowfoot-leaved hare's-ear
Bupleurum ranunculoides · Apiaceae
📷 "pastilletes"/Joan Simon, Barcelona, España · CC BY-SA 2.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant crowfoot-leaved hare's-ear: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
- Type
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Adult height
- 40 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to July
- Flowers
- Small yellow umbels
- Hardiness
- Good (zone 5-8)
- Origin
- Mountains of central and Mediterranean Europe
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Bupleurum ranunculoides loves full sun and very well-drained, poor soil. Minimal watering after year 1.
The common mistake
Enriching the soil: it gets leggy, becomes soft and flowers poorly.
The pro's trick
Sow directly in place in autumn (September-October): winter germination and sturdier plants than transplanting.
Care
Sunlight
Bupleurum ranunculoides demands full sun exposure to flower generously and form a compact habit. A minimum of 6 hours of direct daily sunlight is necessary. Avoid partial shade, which would weaken the plant and slow its growth.
Watering
Once established, this plant tolerates drought well and needs only moderate watering. Water at planting time and during the first few weeks, then reduce gradually. During dry summer periods, occasional watering is sufficient; the plant prefers dry soil to overly moist conditions.
Soil and Planting
Choose well-drained, light, and rather poor soil (gravelly or sandy). Avoid heavy, compacted soils that cause root rot. Adding gravel or sand at planting time improves drainage in clay soil.
Pruning and Maintenance
Cut back lightly after flowering to maintain a bushy habit and stimulate possible reblooming. Deadhead spent flowers to extend flowering. A short trim in late winter cleans up the clump; be careful, as the plant can be fragile if it suffered from cold, damp conditions.
Fertilization
No fertilizer is needed on poor, gravelly soil. Excess nutrients promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Reserve a light application of well-rotted compost in spring only on very poor soil.
Health and Pests
Bupleurum is relatively resistant to diseases and pests. Main problems stem from excessive moisture (root rot, powdery mildew in autumn). Ensure excellent drainage and good air circulation. Chemical treatments are generally not needed in standard cultivation.
Did you know?
The Bupleurum genus has fascinated people since antiquity: the ancient Greeks used several species from this group for their supposed therapeutic properties. Bupleurum ranunculoides owes its species name "ranunculoides" to its basal leaves, which resemble those of buttercups (Ranunculus), creating a deceptive resemblance within a completely different plant family.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- CarawayCarum carvi
- MasterwortAstrantia major
- SamphireCrithmum maritimum
- Flat sea hollyEryngium planum
- Shrubby Hare's EarBupleurum fruticosum
- Button eryngoEryngium yuccifolium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.