Bergenia 'Abendglut' (elephant's ears 'Abendglut') — Mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes

Overview

Bergenia 'Abendglut' is a mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes perennial in the genus Bergenia, part of the Saxifragaceae family, with evergreen; broad, leathery, rounded, often flushing red or bronze in winter foliage. Bergenia 'Abendglut' grows best in full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun, and tolerates any reasonable soil and including poor and stony ground soils and acid and neutral or alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6-H7. Suggested uses include borders, ground cover, rock gardens, woodland gardens and container planting.

About

Bergenia 'Abendglut' is a mat-forming, evergreen perennial with broad, leathery, rounded leaves and a spreading habit from surface rhizomes. Leaves often flush red or bronze in winter, with the strongest winter colour in sun. Flowering occurs in March to May on upright stalks. It is suited to use as ground cover, in borders, rock gardens and containers.

About the genus

Bergenia is a genus of ten species of flowering plants in the family Saxifragaceae, native to central Asia, from Afghanistan to China and the Himalayan region.

Wikipedia contributors, "Bergenia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Bergenia

In the garden

Bergenia 'Abendglut' belongs to the genus Bergenia in the Saxifragaceae and grows as a mat-forming perennial that spreads by surface rhizomes. The plant carries broad, leathery, rounded leaves through most of the year; in cooler months those leaves often flush red or bronze, a trait that intensifies with sun exposure. Flowering takes place in March to May on erect flower stems rising above the foliage. Place Bergenia 'Abendglut' where soil is moist but well drained; it will tolerate dry shade once established and will grow in any reasonable soil, including poor or stony ground, across acid to alkaline pH. It performs in full sun to full shade and copes with both exposed and sheltered sites. Hardiness runs to H6–H7, meaning it withstands very cold to fully hardy UK conditions. Use it as a low ground cover between larger perennials, at the front of borders, in rock and woodland gardens or in pots where its evergreen leaves provide structure year-round. Position in sun to maximise the winter leaf colour, and allow flower stems to rise above the leaves in spring so the March–May blooms are visible against the glossy foliage.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Bergenia

Sunlight: Full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun
Soil type: Any reasonable soil, including poor and stony ground
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Soil moisture: Moist but well drained; tolerates dry shade once established
Aspect: Any
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H6-H7

Plant details

Bergenia 'Abendglut' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes
Foliage: Evergreen; broad, leathery, rounded, often flushing red or bronze in winter
Suggested uses: Borders, ground cover, rock gardens, woodland gardens, container planting

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia 'Abendglut'

Cultivation: Genuinely tough plants that will grow where little else will, including dry shade and thin soil over rubble. They spread by rhizomes that creep along the surface, so the clump gradually moves outward and the centre can go bare - lifting and replanting the vigorous outer sections every few years keeps them looking well. For the best winter colour, choose a sunny position and a cultivar selected for it.
Pruning: Remove dead and tatty leaves and spent flower spikes at the base as needed through the year. No other pruning required.
Propagation: Divide the rhizomes after flowering or in autumn, cutting sections with a few leaves and roots attached and replanting firmly. Very easy to increase this way.
Pest resistance: Vine weevil grubs attack the rhizomes, and slugs and snails notch the leaf margins - cosmetic rather than serious.
Disease resistance: Generally healthy. Leaf spot causes brown blotching in wet seasons and affected leaves are simply removed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Bergenia 'Abendglut'?

Genuinely tough plants that will grow where little else will, including dry shade and thin soil over rubble. They spread by rhizomes that creep along the surface, so the clump gradually moves outward and the centre can go bare - lifting and replanting the vigorous outer sections every few years keeps them looking well. For the best winter colour, choose a sunny position and a cultivar selected for it.

Where is the best place to plant Bergenia 'Abendglut'?

Bergenia 'Abendglut' prefers full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Bergenia 'Abendglut' need?

Bergenia 'Abendglut' grows best in any reasonable soil and including poor and stony ground soil. It prefers acid and neutral or alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well drained; tolerates dry shade once established.

How do I prune Bergenia 'Abendglut'?

Remove dead and tatty leaves and spent flower spikes at the base as needed through the year. No other pruning required.

Is Bergenia 'Abendglut' hardy in the UK?

Bergenia 'Abendglut' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Bergenia 'Abendglut'?

Divide the rhizomes after flowering or in autumn, cutting sections with a few leaves and roots attached and replanting firmly. Very easy to increase this way.

More in the Bergenia genus

Browse all Bergenia →