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

Overview

Bergenia 'Margery Fish' 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. Bergenia 'Margery Fish' 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, ground cover, rock gardens, shade gardens and woodland edges.

About

Bergenia 'Margery Fish' is a mat-forming perennial in the Saxifragaceae with evergreen, broad, leathery leaves and a spreading surface-rhizome habit. It flowers in the UK from March to May. Leaves often flush red or bronze over winter, with the strongest colour where plants get sun. Plants tolerate a wide range of soils, including poor or stony ground.

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 'Margery Fish' is a mat-forming perennial from the genus Bergenia in the Saxifragaceae, notable for its glossy, rounded rosettes of leathery leaves and a habit of spreading by surface rhizomes. In the UK it produces its flowers from March to May, while the evergreen leaves commonly flush red or bronze in winter — a colour change that is most pronounced in sunnier positions. Sit it in full sun to full shade on any aspect; the plant will take acid, neutral or alkaline soils and even poor or stony ground. It prefers soil that is moist but well drained and will tolerate dry shade once established. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy for mainland UK gardens. Use Bergenia 'Margery Fish' as a ground cover for borders, rock gardens, shade areas or woodland edges where its spreading habit and winter leaf colour add year-round structure. Allow the evergreen rosettes to form their mats and note the seasonal contrast when the March–May blooms appear above the foliage while the leaves retain their winter flush.

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 'Margery Fish' 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
Suggested uses: Borders, ground cover, rock gardens, shade gardens, woodland edges

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia 'Margery Fish'

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 'Margery Fish'?

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 'Margery Fish'?

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

What soil does Bergenia 'Margery Fish' need?

Bergenia 'Margery Fish' 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 'Margery Fish'?

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

Is Bergenia 'Margery Fish' hardy in the UK?

Bergenia 'Margery Fish' 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 'Margery Fish'?

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 →