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Bergenia cordifolia
Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Bergenia
Species: cordifolia
Common Name: Elephant's Ears
Bergenia cordifolia
If there were one word to sum up Bergenia cordifolia it would be 'tough'. This doesn't just cover how Bergenia's leathery evergreen leaves feel between your fingers, squeaking as you rub the leaf. No. This is a tough plant in all senses of the word.
I love it as a robust ground cover, never reaching more than a couple of feet in height or spread.
In the spring Bergenia cordifolia makes a valiant effort to look pretty, producing slightly butch flowers in shades of sometimes shocking pink on thick fleshy stems.
Whilst undoubtedly robust, Bergenia cordifolia does not tolerate excessive winter wet, preferring drier soils.
Bergenia cordifolia will tolerate both sun and shade, although the red winter leaf colour in some varieties is usually better when in direct sunlight.
When planted en masse, the broad thick leaves of Bergenia cordifolia make it difficult to mix with other plants.
One plant that is equally robust and therefore able to force through the gaps are daffodils and whilst I have never seen it I would suspect that equally strong bulbs such as Tulips and Alliums would work just as well.
Bergenia cordifolia also provides ground cover surrounding larger shrubs and under trees.
Bergenia cordifolia at a glance
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