Perennial
Bergenia
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Flowers in March | Flowers in April | ||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in March | Plant in April | Plant in September | Plant in October | ||||||||
| Prune | Prune in March | |||||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in January | Looks good in February | Looks good in March | Looks good in April | Looks good in November | Looks good in December |
Overview
Large, leathery, rounded leaves make a solid evergreen carpet, and in March and April thick red stems push up clusters of pink, magenta or white bell flowers that early bumblebees visit. Rub a leaf between finger and thumb and it squeaks, hence the nickname pigsqueak. Many varieties turn rich red or bronze in cold weather: 'Overture' and 'Eroica' colour well, while 'Bressingham White' is the pick for pale flowers.
Where to grow bergenia
Bergenias grow almost anywhere, from dry shade under trees to sunny banks, and on any soil type. Leaves colour best in sun on lean ground; in deep shade they stay green. Use them to edge paths, under shrubs, or to break up finer foliage.
Planting
Plant in spring or autumn, 40–45 cm apart for ground cover. The thick rhizomes should sit at the surface, with just the roots buried.
Care through the year
Spring
Remove scorched or tatty leaves as the flowers appear.
Summer
Water new plants; established clumps cope with drought.
Autumn
Look for notched leaf edges and check for vine weevil grubs in pots.
Winter
Enjoy the coloured foliage; no protection needed.
Pruning
There is no real pruning. Pull away brown or damaged leaves at the base in early spring and cut off spent flower stems.
Propagation
Divide clumps after flowering or in autumn. You can also cut a length of rhizome with a leaf rosette and pot it up; it roots readily.
Common problems
Vine weevil adults notch leaf edges and grubs eat roots, especially in containers; use biological nematodes in late summer. Slugs and snails shelter under the leaves, so clear debris. Leaf spot is usually cosmetic.
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in March, April, September and October. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.