Bergenia 'Ballawley' (Saxifrage) — Mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes

Overview

Bergenia 'Ballawley' 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 'Ballawley' 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, shaded areas and woodland gardens.

About

Bergenia 'Ballawley' is a mat-forming perennial that spreads by surface rhizomes and provides low, evergreen cover. Its broad, leathery leaves often flush red or bronze in winter and hold their shape through the seasons. Flowering occurs from March to May, producing clusters of pink blooms above the foliage. It suits tight planting and will fill gaps where other perennials may falter.

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 'Ballawley' is a spreading, rhizomatous perennial with a rosette of broad, leathery leaves that remain on the plant year-round and commonly take on red to bronze tones in colder months. Flowering runs from March to May, when short, stout stems carry rounded clusters of pink flowers above the foliage. Place it in full sun to full shade; plants developed in sunnier positions show the strongest winter leaf colour. It tolerates any reasonable soil, from fertile loam to poor or stony ground, and will grow in acid, neutral or alkaline conditions. A moist but well-drained site is best, though established clumps tolerate dry shade. The range H6–H7 means it is very to fully hardy for UK gardens and will cope with exposed or sheltered aspects. Use Bergenia 'Ballawley' as a ground cover beneath shrubs, at the front of borders, in rock gardens or in shaded and woodland corners where its evergreen leaves give structure through winter. Allow colonies to spread to form a carpet; the winter-bronzed foliage provides seasonal colour until the March–May flowers appear.

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 'Ballawley' 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, shaded areas, woodland gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia 'Ballawley'

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 'Ballawley'?

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 'Ballawley'?

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

What soil does Bergenia 'Ballawley' need?

Bergenia 'Ballawley' 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 'Ballawley'?

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

Is Bergenia 'Ballawley' hardy in the UK?

Bergenia 'Ballawley' 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 'Ballawley'?

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 →