Bergenia cordifolia (heart-leaf bergenia) — Mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes

Overview

Bergenia cordifolia 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. It typically grows around 0.3 m tall. Bergenia cordifolia 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 groundcover, border edging, rock gardens and shade gardens. It is native to Russia (Siberia).

About

Bergenia cordifolia is a mat-forming perennial with broad, leathery basal leaves that often flush red or bronze through winter. It spreads by surface rhizomes to form a low evergreen ground cover about 0.3 m high. Flowering occurs in March to May on erect, leafless stems. Use where a low, spreading evergreen with winter leaf colour is needed.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Bergenia crassifolia

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 cordifolia is a perennial in the Saxifragaceae, native to Russia (Siberia). It forms a low, mat-forming habit from surface rhizomes and carries broad, rounded, leathery leaves that commonly redden or bronze in winter. Flowering stems rise above the foliage in March to May. Place it in full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun. It will grow in any reasonable soil, including poor or stony ground, and tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Soils should be moist but well drained; plants tolerate dry shade once established. Aspect and exposure are not critical, and in UK hardiness terms Bergenia cordifolia is very to fully hardy (H6–H7), remaining in place through cold winters. Practical uses include ground cover, border edging, rock gardens and shady corners where a low evergreen mat is useful. Allow room for surface rhizomes when planting to let the patch spread gradually. The combination of early spring flowers and persistent winter-tinted leaves makes it a useful structural plant at the front of a border or beneath taller perennials.

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 cordifolia 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
Height: 0.3 m
Suggested uses: Groundcover, border edging, rock gardens, shade gardens
Native to: Russia (Siberia)

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia cordifolia

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 cordifolia?

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 cordifolia?

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

What soil does Bergenia cordifolia need?

Bergenia cordifolia 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 cordifolia?

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

How big does Bergenia cordifolia grow?

Bergenia cordifolia reaches a height of 0.3 m.

Is Bergenia cordifolia hardy in the UK?

Bergenia cordifolia 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 cordifolia?

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 →