Description
Bupleurum longifolium, commonly known as long-leaved hare’s ear, is a graceful biennial or short-lived perennial native to central Europe and Siberia, admired for its airy structure and understated elegance. It produces upright stems reaching up to 3 feet tall, adorned with long, narrow basal leaves and clasping, heart-shaped upper foliage in shades of green to grey-green, sometimes tinged with purple. In summer, it bears loose umbels of tiny yellow flowers surrounded by petal-like green bracts, creating a soft, meadow-like effect that complements wildflower plantings, cottage gardens, and naturalistic borders. Though its life cycle is brief—typically flowering in its second year—Bupleurum longifolium readily self-seeds and can be propagated from seed with patience, as germination may require cold stratification and can be erratic. Its delicate form and ease of naturalizing make it a quiet but enduring presence in the garden.
