A deciduous species native to W. Pakistan, S. Kashmir and S.W. Nepal. It is commonly found growing in wet or dry rocks and cliffs, shale slopes, and forests from 900-3000m. It has orbicular or broadly ovate, densely and coarsely hairy leaves with a strongly ciliate, sparsely denticulate or shallowly sinuous or crenate margin. In early spring, dense clusters of faintly fragrant, white flowers become blushed pink or deepen with age to red or pink.

Many different forms of B. ciliata can be found growing in cultivation today. Two main forms that have been historically accepted are B. ciliata f. ciliata and B. ciliata f. ligulata. The former is said to be rarely cultivated with Yeo reporting on forms growing at Kew (1819), Chiswick (1846) and Cambridge (1884). Currently Kew holds two forms which were accessioned in 1969 and 1973, and Cambridge holds one from 1958. The name B. ciliata f. ligulata is now considered a synonym of B. pacumbis and is commonly available in cultivation.