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

Overview

Bergenia crassifolia 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 crassifolia 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, borders, rock gardens and woodland gardens. It is native to NE Asia.

About

Bergenia crassifolia is a mat-forming perennial with broad, leathery leaves and a compact height of around 0.3 m. It spreads by surface rhizomes to form a low ground cover and keeps its foliage through the year, often flushing red or bronze in winter. Flowering stems appear in March to May. Winter leaf colour develops most strongly in sunny positions.

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

A mat-forming perennial from NE Asia, Bergenia crassifolia forms a low, spreading carpet of broad, leathery leaves and is valued where persistent ground cover is needed. It spreads by surface rhizomes and typically reaches about 0.3 m tall, producing its flower stems in March to May. The foliage often flushes red or bronze in winter, a trait that is intensified by exposure to sun. Grow it in any reasonable soil, including poor or stony ground, and in acid, neutral or alkaline conditions; it prefers moist but well drained soil yet will tolerate dry shade once established. It suits full sun through to full shade, and the winter leaf colour is strongest in sunnier spots. The hardiness rating H6–H7 means it is very to fully hardy in UK climates and will withstand exposed as well as sheltered sites. Use Bergenia crassifolia as a low ground cover between shrubs, at the front of a border, in rock gardens or in a woodland garden where a tough, evergreen understorey is required. Allow the clumps room to spread by their surface rhizomes and remove spent flower stalks after the March–May display to keep the clump tidy while the thick leaves remain through winter.

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 crassifolia 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, borders, rock gardens, woodland gardens
Native to: NE Asia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia crassifolia

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 crassifolia?

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 crassifolia?

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

What soil does Bergenia crassifolia need?

Bergenia crassifolia 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 crassifolia?

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 crassifolia grow?

Bergenia crassifolia reaches a height of 0.3 m.

Is Bergenia crassifolia hardy in the UK?

Bergenia crassifolia 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 crassifolia?

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 →