Bergenia ciliata

Bergenia ciliata (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Saxifragaceae

Bergenia ciliata is a semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its leathery mid green leaves are ovate with entire wavy margins, with fine hairs on its upper and lower surfaces, up to 35cm long and 30cm broad. Its pink hermaphrodite flowers are cone shaped and produced on a stem which are up to 35cm high. The roots of this plant are rhizomatous and will spread slowly.

Bergenia ciliata Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Bergenia ciliata, commonly known as Fringed Bergenia, Frilly Bergenia or Elephant Ears, is native to the Himalayas region. In its native habitat it grows in moist forest conditions.

The etymological root of the binomial name Bergenia was named after Karl August von Bergen, an 18th century German physician and botanist. Ciliata is derived from the Latin ciliate meaning ‘eye lash’, in reference to the hairs on its leavers.

Bergenia ciliata Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Bergenia ciliata useful as an effective low growing, evergreen, ground cover plant, particularly in shady.

Ecologically Bergenia ciliata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Bergenia ciliata prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

Bergenia ciliata requires little maintenance. Large clumps of this plant may be divided in autumn or early spring.

Bergenia purpurascens

Bergenia purpurascens (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 40cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Saxifragaceae

Bergenia purpurascens is a clump forming, evergreen herbaceous perennial. Its leathery leaves are erect, oval, dark green in summer becoming beetroot red in winter months. The dark pink hermaphrodite flowers are cone shaped and produced in spring. They are produced on a stem similar in colour to a rhubarb stalk. The roots of this plant are rhizomatous and will spread slowly.

Bergenia purpurascens, commonly known as Purple Bergenia, Chinese Bergenia or Elephant Ears, is native to central Asia.

The etymological root of the binomial name Bergenia was named after Karl August von Bergen, an 18th century German physician and botanist. Purpurascens is derived from the Latin purpureus ‘purple’ and essentia ‘essence’.

Bergenia purpurascens leaf (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find Bergenia purpurascens useful as an effective low growing, evergreen, ground cover plant, particularly in shady, cool locations. Once established this plant will tolerate short periods of drought and exposed conditions.

Ecologically Bergenia purpurascens is attractive to bees and butterflies who pollinate the plant.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Bergenia purpurascens their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Bergenia purpurascens prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

Bergenia purpurascens requires little maintenance. Large clumps of this plant may be divided in autumn or spring.

Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’

Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ flower (13/03/2011, London)

Position: Full sun to shade

Soil: Moist but well drained

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 45cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Saxifragaceae

Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ is an evergreen clump forming perennial. Its mid green waxy leaves are broadly obovate with shallowly scalloped margins, up to 15cm long and 15cm across. In spring it bears white flowers above its leaves that age to pink and have pink sepals.

Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’, commonly known as Elephant’s Ears, is the result of a cross between Bergenia cordifolia and Bergenia crassifolia. Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ is synonymous with Bergenia ‘Silver Light’ and Bergenia hybrida ‘Silberlicht’.

The etymological root of the binomial name Bergenia was named for Karl August von Bergen, 18th century German physician and botanist by Conrad Moench Professor of Botany at the Marburg University from 1786 until his death in 1805. We are unclear as to the origin of ‘Silberlicht’

Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ (13/03/2011, London)

Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ is useful for landscape architects as an effective ground cover is shady locations . The architectural habit of its evergreen leaves and early spring flowers all provide excellent interest.

Ecologically, Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ is of little wildlife benefits apart from providing shelter.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ needs little maintenance. As with most herbaceous plant material, when clumps become too large they should be divided, this should be carried out in autumn.