Bergenia 'Bach'

RHS Plant Profile

elephant's ears 'Bach'

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial

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A herbaceous perennial, up to 40cm high, with glossy, dark green leaves, crimson-flushed in winter. In spring, red-hued stalks bear flowers, with dark pink centres, which open pale pink with white calyces and mature to white with dark pink calyces

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Saxifragaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
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

Grow in any soil that is not boggy, in sun or shade, but performs best in moist but well-drained soil in a cool sheltered position with partial shade from taller trees or shrubs, which will give the flowers protection from late frosts, and so prolong the flowering season; however a more exposed position and less rich soil will encourage winter colouring

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Banks and slopes
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes and leaves to keep plants tidy

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil and slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot