Bergenia cordifolia
Heartleaf bergenia, Pigsqueak
- Height × spread
- 0.46m × 0.6m
- 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
Bergenias are the most solid of groundcover plants. They are good tempered and have big, rich green leaves, which, in many varieties, take on ruddy winter tints. In spring they produce vertical flowering spikes that, in some forms, are quite ornamental. Flowers are generally sweetly fragrant. This species produces light pink blooms in spring. Bergenias are tolerant of adverse positions, but repay good treatment by their luxuriant foliage. They are a stalwart for defining border edges and acting as an anchor to frothy plants. In Gertrude Jekyll's day (1843-1932) they were known as 'megasea'.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet-vanilla
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.46m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Shady court, Seaside garden, Scented 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
- 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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