Bergenia × newryensis (Saxifrage) — Mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes

Overview

Bergenia × newryensis 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 × newryensis 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.

About

Bergenia × newryensis is an evergreen perennial that forms a mat by spreading with surface rhizomes. It has broad, leathery, rounded leaves that often flush red or bronze in winter, with the strongest colour in sun. It flowers from March to May. The plant will grow in any reasonable soil, including poor and 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 × newryensis belongs to the genus Bergenia in the Saxifragaceae family and grows as a mat-forming perennial via surface rhizomes. Plants produce a rosette of broad, leathery leaves that remain through winter and commonly take on red or bronze tones as temperatures fall. Position it in full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour will be most pronounced in sun. It accepts any reasonable soil (acid, neutral or alkaline) and prefers moist but well-drained conditions, though it will tolerate dry shade once established. The aspect can be any and the plant copes with exposed or sheltered sites. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy across UK conditions. Expect the flowering period to be March to May. Use Bergenia × newryensis where a spreading evergreen ground cover is needed: along pathways, at the front of a mixed border, beneath larger shrubs where light is limited, or in stony soil where other perennials struggle. Allow space for surface rhizomes to spread or use planted drifts to form a tidy mat. Note the seasonal leaf flush — red or bronze tones persist through winter and are most vivid in brighter sites.

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 × newryensis 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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia × newryensis

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 × newryensis?

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 × newryensis?

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

What soil does Bergenia × newryensis need?

Bergenia × newryensis 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 × newryensis?

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

Is Bergenia × newryensis hardy in the UK?

Bergenia × newryensis 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 × newryensis?

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 →