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Thoroughwax Bupleurum rotundifolium

Phonetic Spelling
bew-PLUR-rum ro-tun-dih-FOH-lee-um
Description

Hare's Ear is an herbaceous annual in the carrot family native to central and southern Europe and sometimes grown in the garden for its unusual flowers and nice foliage. However, in nature, it is often found in cornfields, waste places and waysides, and growing as a weed on cultivated land. The plants mature to 1 to 2 feet tall with few branches and they can be used in the front to middle of a flower border. Hare's Ear blossoms make good cut flowers for flower arrangements because they are long lasting and act as a good contrast to more colorful blooms. Blooming occurs from summer to fall.

Hare's Ear grows best in average, moist to dry, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. They will self-seed if not deadheaded. The plant has become a weed in western Europe, but is not that common in North America where it is sometimes grown as a garden plant. The common name Thorough-Wax is old English for "through-growing", referring to the leaves that appear to be speared by the stem.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests. Can become weedy.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Griffithii'
    Chartreuse color
'Griffithii'
Tags:
#flower arrangements#attractive leaves#border planting#cutting garden#dried arrangements#herbaceous annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Griffithii'
    Chartreuse color
'Griffithii'
Tags:
#flower arrangements#attractive leaves#border planting#cutting garden#dried arrangements#herbaceous annual#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Bupleurum
    Species:
    rotundifolium
    Family:
    Apiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used as food and as medicine.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and southern Europe, Asia
    Distribution:
    Britain, south and east to North Africa and the Caucasus. Eastern Canada and the United States south to Florida and into the mid-west.
    Edibility:
    Leaves can be eaten.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 4 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Oblong fruit are tiny and do not open when ripe.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Yellow-green striking flowers with 5 to 10 radial petals in an umbel. Oval to ovate bractlets, tips acuminate to cuspidate, with prominent veines.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Blue green leaves are speared through by the stem (perfoliate), simple, alternate, entire margins. Lower and middle leaves oval to oblong and veined. Upper leaves perfoliate, almost orbicular with numerous veins. Can be lobed or unlobed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups