PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
' Miss Piggy ' bergenia . Photo by : Proven Winners
Are you in need of a dispirited - maintenance ground cover that remain attractive in all seasons and will originate almost anywhere , from shade to full sunlight ? Then look no further than Bergenia , also jazz as “ pigsqueak ” because of the sound made when you rub the leaf . Valued for both its flowers and foliage , Bergeniawelcomes outpouring with showy panicles of dainty pink blossom perched atop slurred , just stems . But its most remarkable feature are the big , glossy greenish leave , which turn a gorgeous reddish - bronze in fall and remain colorful well into wintertime .
Low - growing and clump - forming , bergenia is most effective when planted en masse shot to carpet timber and shade garden or to butt against pathways and border . However , it also makes a stunning specimen or container plant thanks to its bluff , oculus - catching foliation .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Design idea
BASICS
Botanical name:
Bergeniaspp . and hybrids
mark : Two bergenia coinage , B. cordifoliaandB. crassifolia , are now considered to be synonymous and the name are often used interchangeably .
Common names:
Heartleaf bergenia , pigsqueak , elephant ’s spike
Plant type:
Herbaceous perennial
Origin:
Native to key and easterly Asia
Zones:
Typically 4 - 8,with some unfearing to partition 3
Exposure:
Part Lord’s Day to full subtlety
Height/spread:
1 to 2 feet tall ( when in bloom ) and 1 to 3 foot spacious
Bloom time:
early on to mid - spring , with the blossom live 3 weeks or recollective . May bloom in the beginning in climates with affectionate winters .
Foliage:
Rounded or kernel - mold leathery green leaves grow up to 8 inch wide and have more or less toothed edges . In fall , the parting turn rich shades of crimson , plum , or bronze . Foliage will stay on evergreen plant in zones 6 and warm .
Flowers:
Clusters of low , five - petaled bloom most unremarkably bloom in shades of pink , but may also be red , purple or blank , count on the variety . Some cultivar have semi - twofold blooms .
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 . consort to the ASPCA database of poisonous plants , bergenia is not toxic to cats , dogs , or horses . For more good plant choices , see20 Common Plants Safe for Cats & Dogs .
PLANTING BERGENIA
Bergenia leaves in drop . Photo by : Saeedatun / Shutterstock .
When to plant:
In spring , after the threat of icing has excrete , or in former crepuscle in frost - free climates .
Where to plant:
Bergeniawill thrive in almost any amount of sunlight , but a site that receive igniter to restrained specter is ideal . In southerly regions , protect flora from scorching afternoon sun .
How to plant:
Dig a hole about doubly as broad and the same depth as the root clod and combine in any amendments , as require . Place the plant in the hollow so the diadem is level with the surrounding soil and then backfill . Tamp the soil down mildly , and water thoroughly to polish off air pockets .
Soil:
Prefers hummus - rich , moist , well - debilitate territory , but will also adjust to inadequate soils , including clay .
Spacing:
If growing bergenia en masse , space plants 1 to 3 feet apart , depend on their width at maturity .
Growing from seed:
you could also produce bergenia from source , starting the seeds indoors 6 to 8 week before the last rime date . Because bergenia require light to evolve , do n’t deal the fine come , just press it more or less into the grime surface . Germinate at elbow room temperature of 70 ° to 75 ° F in moist soil . Have longanimity , since germination can take 3 to 6 weeks . Learn plants from seed .
Growing in containers:
Because bergenias are attractive from spring through fall , they are wonderful container plants , either alone or as fillers in mixed container combination . To hold the plant ’s root organisation and broad leaves , pick out a pot with a diam of at least 12 column inch and deepness of 8 to 10 inches . Also make trusted the jackpot has plenty of drainage holes to preclude the soil from getting soggy . Get moretips for originate works in containers .
BERGENIA CARE
Watering:
Bergeniaperforms better in dirt that is keep open evenly moist , but will permit short periods of drouth once established . plant situate in full sun will in general ask more frequent watering than those grown in the shade . Be careful not to overwater . root word rot can occur if your plants are allowed to sit in to a fault saturated soil .
Amendments and fertilizer:
Bergenia industrial plant do not need supplemental fertilizer to thrive , especially when grown in nutrient - racy land amended with organic subject . If you experience in a hot , juiceless clime , put several inches of mulch around the source zona to help oneself keep the soil moist , give the crown of the plant uncovered to avoid poll rot .
Pruning and deadheading:
In early spring , dress away any leaves that have become lacerate and tattered over winter to make way for refreshful , new leaf growth . After plants bloom , deadhead to remove the spent blush and their straw . This will make your bergenias reckon sizable and may motivate new efflorescence to come forth later in the season .
Dividing:
To keep plants looking their best , you should split up them every few year , or when they start to die out in the middle . This should be done in spring ( after flowering ) or in other fall . Dig up the whole thumping , discard the woody center of attention , and use a sharp garden tongue to cut the remain rhizomes into magnanimous sections , making certain each one has several leaf impound .
Overwintering:
Bergeniais very cold-blooded hardy , but there are bill you may take to belittle harm to your plants in area with harsh winters . To keep strong , cold winds from tearing and exsiccate the evergreen plant leaves , mature your plants in a protected location . Also apply a stratum of mulch , such as straw , leaves , or other constituent matter , in late fall to help protect your plant from frost damage and temperature extremes .
Pests and diseases:
Bergeniais seldom affected by insects , diseases , and creature pests , including cervid and coney . However , black vine weevilsand foliage spot ( a fungal disease ) may occasionally become problems .
BERGENIA VARIETIES
pic by : Proven winner
' Peppermint Patty'—Buy now from Proven WinnersBergeniahybrid
Zones:4 - 8
Height and spread:22 column inch tall , 16 to 18 inches all-inclusive
Features blank heyday with pink throats and matching pinkish picotee edges . execute best in part shade , but will grow in any sunlight pic .
' Miss Piggy'—Buy now from Proven WinnersBergenia cordifolia
Height and spread:16 to 18 inches magniloquent , 28 to 32 inches wide
A great foliage plant life and ground book binding , feature redundant - large , sheeny green leaves and clusters of bright pink blossoms in saltation . leaf remains evergreen plant in all but the coldest climate .
exposure by : ASdesign.cze / Shutterstock
' Winter Glow’Bergenia cordifolia
Height and spread:12 to 15 in tall , 12 to 18 inches wide
A stunning selection with nodding bunch of Battle of Magenta - pink bloom in outflow and heart - shaped , dark light-green leave of absence that turn brilliant shades of red when nerveless atmospheric condition go far . May at times flower again in the downslope in mild climates .
Photo by : John R. Martin / Shuttertstock
' Bressingham White’Bergeniahybrid
Zones:3 - 8
Height and spread:12 to 15 inches tall , 18 inches wide
One of the good white bergenias , with mystifying forest - green leave and pure white , bell - work flowers opening from pale pink bud in spring . A recipient of the British Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit .
picture by : Meunierd / Shuttertstock
Winter - Blooming BergeniaBergenia crassifolia
Height and spread:1 to 2 foot tall and wide-cut
Boasts huge , cabbage - alike leaf and showy lavender - pinkish flowers . May bloom as early as December in climates with modest winters .
exposure by : Kristine Rad / Shuttertstock
Purple BergeniaBergenia purpurascens
Height and spread:12 to 18 inches marvellous , 12 to 24 inches wide
This metal money is most notable for foliage that turns a vivacious Beta vulgaris rubra red in late fall through wintertime . Clusters of pink to purplish flower are carry on colorful rhubarb bolshy stems in mid - saltation .
photograph by : Flower_Garden / Shutterstock
Dragonfly ™ ' Sakura’Bergeniahybrid
Zones:4 - 9
Height and spread:10 to 15 in tall , 12 inches broad
Produces frilly pink , semi - double flowers similar in appearance to cherry blossoms . Long , narrow light-green leaves turn a rich plum color in winter .
DESIGN IDEAS FOR USING BERGENIA PLANTS
Although most often used as a durable , evergreen dry land cover , bergenia can serve a change of use in the landscape . Here are some ideas for contract advantage of its best dimension :
