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

Overview

Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' 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 'Purpurea' 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, groundcover, rock gardens and shade gardens. It is native to Central Asia and Siberia.

About

Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' is a mat-forming perennial valued for its broad, leathery basal leaves that often flush red or bronze through winter. It spreads by shallow, surface rhizomes to form a low ground cover about 0.3 m high. The foliage remains through the year and produces flower stems in spring. Flowering occurs from March to May.

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 'Purpurea' originates from Central Asia and Siberia and belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. Its dense basal rosettes and creeping surface rhizomes give a spreading habit well suited to filling gaps at the front of a border or under trees. The leaves are broad and leathery, remaining on the plant year-round and commonly flushing red or bronze in colder months. Position it in anything from full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun. Soil can be any reasonable garden substrate, including poor or stony ground, and will be tolerated across acid, neutral or alkaline pH. It prefers moist but well-drained conditions but will tolerate dry shade once established. Rated H6–H7, it is very hardy to fully hardy in UK terms and will withstand typical winter conditions. Use Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' as a low ground cover in borders, rock gardens and shade gardens where a winter-coloured evergreen is useful. Expect flower stems to appear in spring, with the main display from March to May, and winter leaf colour to be strongest in sun when leaves often flush red or bronze.

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 'Purpurea' 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: Borders, groundcover, rock gardens, shade gardens
Native to: Central Asia, Siberia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea'

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 'Purpurea'?

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 'Purpurea'?

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

What soil does Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' need?

Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' 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 'Purpurea'?

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 'Purpurea' grow?

Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' reaches a height of 0.3 m.

Is Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' hardy in the UK?

Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' 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 'Purpurea'?

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 →