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

Overview

Bergenia 'Profusion' 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 'Profusion' 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, woodland gardens and shade gardens.

About

Bergenia 'Profusion' is a mat-forming perennial with large, rounded evergreen leaves produced in rosettes and spreading by surface rhizomes. The foliage is leathery and often flushes red or bronze in winter, with the strongest winter colour in sunny spots. Flowering stems appear in spring and bloom from March to May. It forms a low, spreading cover suited to close planting.

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 'Profusion' sits in the Saxifragaceae and is a clump-forming, mat-making perennial that spreads by shallow rhizomes. Its broad, leathery leaves remain through winter and frequently flush red or bronze as temperatures fall; flower stalks rise above the foliage in the spring, producing blooms from March to May. Position it in anything from full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is most pronounced where the plant receives sun. Soil can be any reasonable garden loam, including poor or stony ground, and it tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH. A moist but well-drained site is preferred, though once established it will tolerate dry shade. Aspect and exposure are not critical, and the plant is rated H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy across UK gardens and does not normally need winter protection. Use Bergenia 'Profusion' in mixed borders, as ground cover, in rock gardens or beneath trees in woodland and shade gardens. Its surface rhizomes knit a low carpet that helps define edges and suppress weeds where space is limited. The evergreen rosettes give winter structure and the March–May flower stems rise above the leaves to mark the start of the growing season.

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 'Profusion' 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, woodland gardens, shade gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia 'Profusion'

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 'Profusion'?

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 'Profusion'?

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

What soil does Bergenia 'Profusion' need?

Bergenia 'Profusion' 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 'Profusion'?

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

Is Bergenia 'Profusion' hardy in the UK?

Bergenia 'Profusion' 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 'Profusion'?

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 →