Bupleurum longifolium 'Bronze Beauty'

Bupleurum longifolium ‘Bronze Beauty’ is an eye-catching, short-lived perennial known for its graceful umbels of small ochre flowers, each framed by prominent, petal-like bracts. As the season advances, these bracts gradually develop into rich, cinnamon-bronze hues that are especially prized in naturalistic garden settings. This gentle transition from ochre to bronze gives the plant a subtle, shifting presence that complements both cool and warm-coloured plantings. Flowering generally occurs from June to August, occasionally extending into early autumn in milder conditions.

‘Bronze Beauty’ prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in dry, well-drained soils. It shows a particular affinity for calcareous or poor soils and dislikes overly moist or heavy conditions. In terms of hardiness, it is resilient down to approximately –20°C. Although not a long-lived perennial, often surviving only three to five years, it tends to self-seed modestly, allowing it to persist in favourable garden environments.
The plant is easily propagated from fresh seed, best sown in early autumn or spring. Due to its short lifespan, gardeners often rely on self-seeding or periodic sowing to maintain a steady population. Its upright form and earthy bract tones make it ideal for gravel gardens, wildflower meadows, rockeries, and informal borders.

In addition to its value in garden design, ‘Bronze Beauty’ is a highly regarded cut flower. Its wiry stems hold well in arrangements, and the bracts retain their colour and form when dried, making it a favourite for use in both fresh and dried floral compositions.
Overall, Bupleurum longifolium ‘Bronze Beauty’ offers a unique blend of structure, subtlety, and resilience, making it a compelling choice for gardeners seeking plants with visual interest and ecological adaptability.

Sowing: Sow directly where they are to flower from March to June
The seed is best sown direct, but can also be sown a little earlier in a cold frame. Prick out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. Sowing to flowering 14 to 16 weeks. If sown directly in the open in April, it will be in bloom by July or August.

Sowing Direct Surface sow the seed 50cm (20in) apart in well-cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Do not cover the seeds as they need light to germinate. Water well. Germination will usually take 7-14 days (occasionally erratic to 30 days). Thin out seedlings to 50cm (20in) apart. Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.

Cultivation:
Divide in spring. Larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer. Do not over fertilise because this will lead to excessive leaf growth. Collect seed for next year or leave to self sow.

Plant Uses:
Fresh cut flower. Foliage / filler in arrangements. Flower beds and Borders.
Its upright form and earthy bract tones make it ideal for gravel gardens, wildflower meadows, rockeries, and informal borders.

Cut Flowers:
‘Bronze Beauty’ is a highly regarded cut flower. Its wiry stems hold well in arrangements, and the bracts retain their colour and form when dried, making it a favourite for use in both fresh and dried floral compositions.
Remove all foliage that will be below the water line. Cut under water with a sharp knife. Hydrate in a solution of warm water and floral preservative / floral food for two hours before storage or usage. This plant is ethylene sensitive so take care not to place it near fruit or where it will be affected by car exhaust. Lasts 7 to 10 days.

Medicinal Uses:
Bupleurum has been used in traditional Chinese Medicine for at least 2,000 years and is famously used in the traditional 'chai hu' for treatment of coughs, fevers, and influenza. The roots are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried. A paste of the plant is applied to boils.
It is the primary herb in dozens of classical formulations and a key ingredient in the formula known as sho-saiko-to, making up 16% of the formula. It is also a Japanese kampo or traditional herbal medicine formula based on the traditional Chinese formula xiao-chai-hu-tang. In English, it has been called minor bupleurum formula.

Origin:
Bupleurum longifolium is a perennial plant that is native to Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Western Asia. It prefers sunny, open woodlands, calcareous grasslands, meadows, and rocky hillsides and is commonly found in light, well-drained soils, especially on limestone or chalky substrates.

Nomenclature:
The genus name Bupleurum is taken from from the Greek bous meaning 'ox,' and pleuron meaning 'a rib'.
The common name 'Hare's Ear' for plants in the genus Bupleurum, particularly Bupleurum rotundifolium and Bupleurum longifolium, is derived from the shape and texture of the leaves, which were thought to resemble the soft, rounded ears of a hare. This is a common way that folk names for plants were created, using a metaphor or analogy to describe a characteristic in familiar, everyday terms. These kinds of metaphorical names were widely accepted in vernacular plant naming traditions across Europe and persisted into common horticultural usage.
The species name longifolia, meaning long leaved, also gives it the common name of 'Long Leaved Hares Ear'
The common name Thorowax is the Old English for 'Through grow', referring to the perfoliate leaves that are characteristic of many species
The Chinese name for Bupleurum - Chai Hu means kindling of the barbarians. The origin of this name is unclear.