PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
' Miss Piggy ' bergenia . Photo by : Proven Winners
Are you in want of a depleted - maintenance ground cover that stay attractive in all seasons and will grow almost anywhere , from shade to full sun ? Then look no further than Bergenia , also known as “ pigsqueak ” because of the phone made when you scratch the foliage . value for both its flowers and foliage , Bergeniawelcomes spring with showy panicles of dainty pinkish heyday light atop wooden-headed , upright stems . But its most singular lineament are the big , glossy fleeceable leaves , which turn a gorgeous cherry - bronze in nightfall and remain colorful well into winter .
Low - produce and clump - forming , bergenia is most effective when planted en masse shot to carpet woodland and tad gardens or to edge pathways and borders . However , it also do a arresting specimen or container plant life thanks to its bold , centre - catch foliage .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Design Ideas
BASICS
Botanical name:
Bergeniaspp . and hybrid
Note : Two bergenia species , B. cordifoliaandB. crassifolia , are now weigh to be synonymous and the name calling are often used interchangeably .
Common names:
Heartleaf bergenia , pigsqueak , elephant ’s ears
Plant type:
Herbaceous perennial
Origin:
Native to cardinal and eastern Asia
Zones:
Typically 4 - 8,with some fearless to zone 3
Exposure:
Part sunshine to full shade
Height/spread:
1 to 2 feet marvelous ( when in bloom ) and 1 to 3 feet wide
Bloom time:
Early to mid - leaping , with the flowers live on 3 weeks or tenacious . May bloom earlier in climates with ardent winters .
Foliage:
Rounded or heart - form leathery green leaves develop up to 8 inches wide and have slightly toothed edges . In declension , the leaves rick rich subtlety of ruddy , plum , or bronze . Foliage will stay evergreen in zones 6 and warmer .
Flowers:
Clusters of small , five - petaled flowers most normally bloom in shades of pink , but may also be red , purple or white , depend on the mixture . Some cultivars have semi - dual efflorescence .
Special attributes:
Is bergenia invasive?
Although bergenia is a non - native plant that spreads via rhizomes , it is not considered to be invasive .
Is bergenia poisonous?
No . allot to the ASPCA database of poisonous plants , bergenia is not toxic to cats , dogs , or horses . For more safe plant choices , see20 Common Plants Safe for Cats & Dogs .
PLANTING BERGENIA
Bergenia entrust in crepuscule . photograph by : Saeedatun / Shutterstock .
When to plant:
In spring , after the threat of frost has passed , or in former fall in frost - free climates .
Where to plant:
Bergeniawill thrive in almost any amount of sunlight , but a site that take in light to moderate shade is idealistic . In southerly regions , protect plants from scorching afternoon sun .
How to plant:
dig out a mess about double as across-the-board and the same deepness as the source ball and blend in any amendment , as needed . Place the plant in the jam so the crown is level with the smother soil and then backfill . Tamp the soil down gently , and water thoroughly to hit air pocket .
Soil:
Prefers hummus - rich , moist , well - enfeeble dirt , but will also adapt to poor soils , including clay .
Spacing:
If produce bergenia en masse , blank space plants 1 to 3 pes apart , depend on their breadth at maturity .
Growing from seed:
you’re able to also originate bergenia from seed , get the seeded player indoors 6 to 8 workweek before the last Robert Lee Frost date . Because bergenia needs light to bourgeon , do n’t cover the fine seed , just press it slightly into the soil surface . Germinate at way temperatures of 70 ° to 75 ° degree Fahrenheit in moist soil . Have patience , since germination can take 3 to 6 week . study works from come .
Growing in containers:
Because bergenias are attractive from spring through fall , they are wonderful container works , either alone or as filler in motley container combinations . To accommodate the plant ’s ascendent organization and unsubtle leaves , choose a potbelly with a diameter of at least 12 inches and depth of 8 to 10 inch . Also ensure the pot has plenty of drainage holes to prevent the soil from get soggy . Get moretips for growing plants in container .
BERGENIA CARE
Watering:
Bergeniaperforms best in soil that is kept evenly moist , but will tolerate light periods of drouth once found . Plants locate in full sunshine will in the main want more frequent watering than those grown in the shade . Be heedful not to overwater . root word putrefaction can occur if your plants are allowed to sit in overly saturated filth .
Amendments and fertilizer:
Bergenia plants do not need supplemental plant food to thrive , peculiarly when grown in alimental - rich soil amended with constitutional matter . If you live in a hot , dry clime , put several in of mulch around the base zone to aid keep the land moist , leaving the crown of the plant uncover to void crown rot .
Pruning and deadheading:
In early spring , trim away any leaf that have become torn and tattered over wintertime to make way for tonic , new foliage growth . After plants blossom , deadhead to remove the spent blush and their stalks . This will make your bergenias look tidy and may prompt new blossom to egress later in the season .
Dividing:
To keep plants wait their sound , you should separate them every few years , or when they begin to perish out in the middle . This should be done in spring ( after efflorescence ) or in other evenfall . fag up the whole clump , cast out the woody center , and use a sharp garden knife to write out the remain rhizomes into large sections , have sure each one has several leaves attached .
Overwintering:
Bergeniais very cold hardy , but there are step you may take to minimise harm to your works in area with harsh winter . To keep strong , cold winds from tearing and desiccating the evergreen plant leaves , farm your plants in a protected placement . Also apply a level of mulch , such as stubble , leaves , or other organic matter , in late fall to avail protect your plants from Robert Frost damage and temperature extreme point .
Pests and diseases:
Bergeniais rarely affected by worm , diseases , and fauna pests , include cervid and rabbit . However , black vine weevilsand leaf spotting ( a fungous disease ) may occasionally become problems .
BERGENIA VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven Winners
' Peppermint Patty'—Buy now from Proven WinnersBergeniahybrid
Zones:4 - 8
Height and spread:22 inches tall , 16 to 18 inch wide
Features livid flowers with pink throats and match pinkish picotee boundary . do adept in part shade , but will spring up in any sun pic .
' Miss Piggy'—Buy now from Proven WinnersBergenia cordifolia
Height and spread:16 to 18 inch tall , 28 to 32 inches wide
A not bad foliation flora and undercoat cover version , featuring surplus - large , glossy unripened leaves and clusters of hopeful pink blossoms in spring . Foliage remains evergreen plant in all but the insensate climates .
Photo by : ASdesign.cze / Shutterstock
' Winter Glow’Bergenia cordifolia
Height and spread:12 to 15 inch marvelous , 12 to 18 column inch all-encompassing
A stunning survival with nodding clusters of magenta - pinkish blooms in outflow and heart - shaped , dark green leafage that twist brilliant shadiness of red when cool conditions make it . May occasionally flower again in the fall in mild climate .
Photo by : John R. Martin / Shuttertstock
' Bressingham White’Bergeniahybrid
Zones:3 - 8
Height and spread:12 to 15 column inch tall , 18 inches wide
One of the best white bergenias , with cryptic forest - green folio and pure whitened , bell - shaped flower opening from pale pink bud in bound . A recipient of the British Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit .
exposure by : Meunierd / Shuttertstock
Winter - Blooming BergeniaBergenia crassifolia
Height and spread:1 to 2 feet improbable and broad
Boasts immense , boodle - like leave and showy lavender - pinkish flowers . May bloom as early as December in climates with balmy winters .
photograph by : Kristine Rad / Shuttertstock
Purple BergeniaBergenia purpurascens
Height and spread:12 to 18 inches tall , 12 to 24 column inch wide
This species is most notable for foliage that turns a vibrant beetroot red in recent fall through wintertime . clump of pink to purplish flowers are tolerate on colorful rhubarb red stanch in mid - spring .
Photo by : Flower_Garden / Shutterstock
Dragonfly ™ ' Sakura’Bergeniahybrid
Zones:4 - 9
Height and spread:10 to 15 inch improbable , 12 column inch wide
get frilly pink , semi - double flush exchangeable in appearance to cherry peak . Long , narrow-minded green leaf turn a deep plum tree color in wintertime .
DESIGN IDEAS FOR USING BERGENIA PLANTS
Although most often used as a lasting , evergreen ground blanket , bergenia can serve a change of design in the landscape painting . Here are some ideas for taking vantage of its best attributes :
