About
Bergenia 'Eric Smith' is notable for its leaf coloration during the winter months, provided it is not affected by severe frost. The leaves are crinkled with a bronze hue on the upper surface and a carmine-red underside, maintaining an upright posture and transitioning to a deep red as temperatures drop. The purplish-pink blooms may remain concealed beneath the foliage.
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
- North-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- 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 and older brown or damaged leaves in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by division or by rhizome section cuttings in Spring or Autumn
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to vine weevil and slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to a leaf spot