Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Pink | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Bergenia are evergreen rhizomatous perennials with leathery, rounded leaves and dense, erect clusters of bell-shaped pink or white flowers in spring
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade; tolerant of dry shade or poor soil in an open exposed position. Good light conditions will enable the best leaf colour to develop. Mulch in autumn
Propagation
Divide deteriorating clumps or root rhizome sections from them in early spring. After flowering or in autumn, lift and sever new plantlets from the ends of the long rhizomes and replant, leaving the parent to flower. Plantlets should flower the next year
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Banks and slopes
- Ground cover
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Remove faded flower spikes and older brown or damaged leaves in spring
Pests
Susceptible to vine weevil, leaf and bud eelworm, slugs and snails and some caterpillars
Diseases
Leaf spot may be a problem and dry brown rot may affect the rhizomes
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.