Bupleurum fruticosum - 9cm pot
Shrubby hare’s ear. A reasonably fast growing (once established) shrubby perennial with lovely blue-grey leaves that have a waxy feel to them. Beautiful umbels of soft greenish-yellow flowers that appear from midsummer, becoming more buttery in colour as they age, and followed by attractive seedheads. Think Mediterranean when placing this plant in the garden – it does really well in coastal areas, or dry gardens where it happily survives both heat and cold. Mine is growing in gravel in a very dry corner next to the house where it gets only occasional rain. Full size approx. 1-2m high and wide (after about 3 years). Full sun and average soil is best - overfeeding will cause it to be tall and lanky, with soft stems. Only water to establish and then don't water it after that. Both flowers and foliage are good for cutting. Best planted when young as they seem to resent root disturbance. 9cm pot.