About

Bupleurum rotundifolium is an upright, branching annual that reaches up to 30 cm in height. It features rounded leaves, with the upper leaves encircling the reddish stem. At the tips of each stem branch, you will find clusters of small yellow flowers surrounded by leaf-like bracts. Once a common weed in cornfields, this species has become rare in its natural habitat but is now valued as an attractive addition to garden settings.

About the genus

Bupleurum includes a range of growth forms, such as annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs. The foliage consists of simple leaves, while the small yellow or green flowers are grouped together, typically accompanied by petal-like bracts that can be green to yellow in color.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Annual Biennial
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
1 year
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildflower meadow
Native to
Europe, Mediterranean to Central Asia

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun
Pruning
Deadhead to control self-seeding
Propagation
Propagate by seed. It is best to sow fresh seed in the autumn or sow in a cold frame in spring. Can self-seed
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free