Bergenia crassifolia
Large leaf saxifrage, Winter blooming bergenia, Leatherleaf bergenia, Siberian tea
Also known as Bergenia bifolia
- Height × spread
- 0.35m × 0.35m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This plant has good sized leaves that are oblong with rounded ends and bumpy edges. They are rich-green and take on a reddish suffusion when grown in sunny sites; they turn deep mahogany-red during winter. The underside of the leaf has ruddy purple pink tints; prettily glimpsed. The flowers are held on sturdy stems above the leaves and strong purple-pink; they carry a sweet fragrance. The flower heads are held somewhat pendulously. In its native habitat it can come into flower as early as March. It reaches around 35cm (14in) height and spread.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet-vanilla
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.35m
- Spread
- 0.35m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Shady court, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Spread organic material around the plant being careful not to bury its crown, or to put the mulch above the point at which the plant has been grafted in the case of trees.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Autumn - late · Planting
Divide every 3 years
Physically divide clumps every three years, or the plant will flower and grow less well. Discard or give away unwanted portions, or replant them to make a larger display. Plants can sometimes take a while to recover from this procedure.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Found in
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