Bergenia Guide: How to Grow and Care for Bergenia

Bergenia is a genus of evergreen perennial plants consisting of a collection of species in the saxifragaceae family. Bergenia are rhizomatous, flowering plants native to central Asia and Afghanistan. They sprout leathery green leaves and magenta, red, or pink flowers that grow in convex cymes. Bergenia can be used as ground cover in shady areas because their foliage can be evergreen in milder climates. They can also provide a rabbit and deer-resistant border for your garden.

There are a few different types of bergenia you can grow, depending on how much space you have or what your garden needs are.

1. 1. Pigsqueak (Bergenia cordifolia): Nicknamed “pig squeak” for the sound their leaves make when rubbed together, these bergenia are rosette-shaped herbaceous perennials with thick, waxy leaves that have serrated edges. These plants can tolerate either full sun or part shade, as well as a range of soil conditions.
2. 2. Heart-leaf bergenia (Bergenia crassifolia): This winter-blooming bergenia has large, glossy green leaves with red markings and erect, rose-pink flower clusters.
3. 3. Hairy leaf bergenia (Bergenia ciliata): Also known as fringed bergenia, hairy leaf bergenia is a clumping perennial that grows slowly. These plants grow up to one foot tall and two feet wide, sprouting fringed leaves that contain little hairs on each side.
4. 4. Purple bergenia (Bergenia purpurascens): These clump-forming bergenia bloom in colors ranging from red to purple, and are often used as bedding or understory. They are deer-resistant and sprout purplish foliage that eventually transitions to green.
5. 5. Dwarf bergenia (Bergenia stracheyi): Found in the Western Himalayas, this type of bergenia has chemical compounds that can be isolated from its rhizomes for medicinal purposes. These dwarf plants produce evergreen leaves and pale pink to deep pink flowers, rarely growing above twelve inches in height.

Though it can vary between bergenia varieties, most species thrive best in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10, and should be planted either in the spring or early fall.

Growing bergenia is a relatively simple process that will yield hardy, resistant plants. Follow this guide to propagate bergenia from seed.

1. 1. Start your seeds indoors. Consider starting your bergenia seeds indoors to control the germination process. Four to six weeks before the last frost of the season, prepare a planting tray with moist potting mix. Keep your seed trays in warm temperatures (around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) and provide them with plenty of light. Once you’re ready to move them outside, carefully remove them from their growing tray, keeping the roots intact. If they have developed larger root balls, make sure the new planting hole is at least twice the size.
2. 2. Choose your planting spot. Bergenia will grow in full sun, but will also grow quite nicely in partial shade or full shade. They prefer acidic to neutral soil that’s loamy and rich with organic matter. You can amend your soil with compost if necessary.
3. 3. Sow your seedlings outside. Sow your bergenia seedlings directly into the soil outdoors at a depth of around four times the width of the seedling. Keep plants at least 12 to 18 inches apart, and water them thoroughly.

Bergenia are relatively low-maintenance and will tolerate a range of environments, but there are a few things you can do to set your bergenia up for success.

1. 1. Deadhead your spent blooms. When your blooms are past their prime, remove them from the plant to maintain a neat appearance. Also make sure to remove old or dead leaves because they can harbor slugs or snails that may damage your plant.
2. 2. Divide your plants. Eventually, your bergenia will start to wither out from the center. Dig up your bergenias every few years, divide the stems, and then replant them in your soil.
3. 3. Mulch your plants. Use a thick layer of mulch to help keep your bergenia moist without overwatering them. Manure or rotted compost can also help your bergenia retain soil moisture.
4. 4. Watch for disease. Bergenia can develop leaf spots, which may be an indicator of poor air circulation or underwatering. When watering your plants, take care to only moisten the surrounding soil, and if necessary, relocate your established plants to give them more space to breathe.
5. 5. Keep an eye out for pests. While they are resistant to many types of pests, bergenia are vulnerable to black vine weevils (or root weevils). Add an organic insecticide or beneficial nematodes to your soil to help control these pests before they eat through your leaves.

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