Bupleurum fruticosum

Bupleurum fruticosum, also known as the woody bupleurum or the bushy bupleurum, is an evergreen shrub related to... the carrot, well known by hill surveyors in the South of France. Neglected in its native lands, just like the Cistus bushes that fill the scrub vegetation, this intrepid Bupleurum is nevertheless one of the few shrubs capable of flowering in the height of summer in these heat-drenched landscapes. Its umbels of flowers, with a somewhat uncertain yellow colour, bloom with a curious scent of grilled bell pepper, for nearly 3 months. An excellent plant for limestone soil, mediocre and dry, blooming in both sun and shade, it has no enemies, except for frost, when it drops below -15°C (5 °F)!

Bupleurum fruticosum is an evergreen shrub of the Apiaceae family, native to the Mediterranean basin. In France, it can be found in the scrub vegetation and Corsican maquis, along the Mediterranean coast, in the undergrowth covering rocky hills, often associated with holm oak and Phillyrea. With a fairly short lifespan but rapid growth, this plant self-seeds spontaneously in favorable climates. It tolerates limestone and sea spray.

The woody Bupleurum naturally forms a fairly dense bush, with an upright and spreading habit, with a rounded crown. In the wild, it rarely exceeds 2m (6ft 7in) in height with a spread of 1m. Its bark is warty and greyish-brown. Its branches bear ovate-lanceolate, leathery leaves, about 8cm (3.1in) long. They are glossy, olive green in colour and have a prominent lighter vein on the upper side, and a bluish-green colour underneath. The foliage persists throughout winter. Flowering occurs from June to August. It takes the form of umbel-shaped inflorescences, 10 to 12cm (3.9 to 4.7in) in diameter, composed of umbels of tiny yellow-green flowers. This oddly scented flowering is also attractive to bees. It is followed by the formation of star-shaped fruits that persist on the shrub for a long time.

Truly easy to grow, undemanding, Bupleurum fruticosum is one of the few shrubs capable of thriving in particularly difficult soil and climate conditions: along with Cistus, lavender, oregano, thyme, and Phlomis, for example, it allows for vegetation in causses gardens, which are very rocky, dry in summer and cold in winter. As it is not afraid of sea spray, it can also be adopted without hesitation by the seaside. It is perfect for creating the persistent structure of a dry garden and even tolerates shade and root competition. In large borders, it can be associated, for example, with Perovskia or a dwarf Vitex ('Blue Puffball'), which also flower in summer. Also grow this Bupleurum in the undergrowth, in the company of Phlomis samia, bear's breeches, or Choisya ternata.