Gardening Tips

Bergenia Cordifolia

Bergenia Cordifolia is a wonderful shade garden plant, because of its low height (2 feet max) it makes a wonderful boarder. Bergenia likes filtered sun and will flower through out the season. This perennial is an excellent addition to any garden. Bergenia Cordifolia is also know as Elephant’s ear and Pigsqueak the leaf is large about 7-8 inches across and 12-17 inches long. Bergenias are native to Siberia and can be grown in many different environments.
Growing Tips 

Bergenia is an evergreen that produces a lot of tubers for division. When one area fills up with the plants dig them up separate the tubers and spread them out.  It will grow quickly if it is well watered and if it is kept dry it will grow slowly . I like to keep them well watered (not over watered) so that I can divide it and spread it around my yard. The blossom is a dark pink to light pink and will bloom in late winter through summer. I can get mine to bloom most of the year, but I have found that they take a break through part of the winter. Its USDA zones are 4-7 and will thrive in a variety of soils. Bergenia prefers alkaline soils and will tolerate some acidic soil. It also likes heavy clay soil and can be divided in the Autumn.
Regional Tips 

Here in Santa Cruz, CA they will produce an abundance of flowers. My mom grows them in a heavy shade garden and they rarely produce flowers. When she comes to my garden she always wonders how I get mine to flower. We enjoy reminding her about the wonders of the sun. My bergenia is in a part shade garden, which is the best. Bergenia don’t like full sun and intense heat. I like to separate the tubers and use them to fill the bare spots in my yard.