Bergenia 'Red Beauty'

RHS Plant Profile

elephant's ears 'Red Beauty'

RHS

Synonyms

Bergenia purpurascens 'Red Beauty'
Bergenia cordifolia 'Red Beauty'

Herbaceous Perennial

Forms clumps of glossy, mid- to dark green leaves that turn deep red in autumn and winter. Sprays of deep pinkish-red flowers borne on red stems appear in spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–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): H7
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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in most humus-rich soils but dislikes extremes of heat and drought. Frosts may damage early flowers. See Bergenia cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or by rhizome section cuttings in Spring or Autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes and dying leaves in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil and slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot