About

'Purpurea' is a perennial that develops a dense clump of broad, rounded green foliage, which takes on a purplish hue during the winter months. It produces clusters of vibrant magenta-pink blooms on upright red stems, reaching heights of up to 50 cm.

About the genus

Bergenia are evergreen perennials that grow from rhizomes, characterized by their thick, rounded leaves. In the spring, they produce upright clusters of bell-shaped flowers, which can be pink or white.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Spreading branched
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Coastal, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Grows well in most humus-rich soils but dislikes extremes of heat and drought. Frosts may damage early flowers. See Bergenia cultivation for further advice
Pruning
Remove faded flower spikes
Propagation
Propagate by division or root rhizomes sections in autumn or spring
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to vine weevil and slugs and snails
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to a leaf spot