Bergenia purpurascens (purple bergenia) — Mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes

Overview

Bergenia purpurascens 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 0.5 m tall. Bergenia purpurascens 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 and rock gardens. It is native to Himalaya to Myanmar.

About

Bergenia purpurascens is a mat-forming perennial in the Saxifragaceae grown for its broad, leathery evergreen leaves that often flush red or bronze in winter. It spreads by surface rhizomes to make a low ground cover and typically reaches around 0.5 m. Flowering occurs from March to May, producing upright stems above the foliage. It tolerates a wide range of light and soils and shows strongest winter leaf colour in sun.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Bergenia purpurascens

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 perennial from the Himalaya to Myanmar, Bergenia purpurascens forms low, spreading mats of rounded, leathery leaves. Its evergreen foliage often takes on a red or bronze flush as temperatures fall, while flower stems rise above the leaves in spring; flowering is from March to May. The plant belongs to the Saxifragaceae and is valued where persistent winter leaf colour is useful. Siting is flexible: it will grow in full sun through to full shade, and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline soils. Best performance comes in moist but well-drained soil, though established clumps tolerate drier shade and will grow in poor or stony ground. The species tolerates exposed as well as sheltered positions and prefers any aspect; leaf colour in winter is strongest in sunnier spots. In UK terms it is very hardy to fully hardy (H6–H7). Use Bergenia purpurascens as a ground cover between shrubs, at the front of a border, or in rock gardens where a low, spreading perennial is required. Its surface rhizomes allow it to fill gaps and suppress weeds at close to 0.5 m height. Leave the evergreen leaves through winter to enjoy their seasonal red or bronze 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 purpurascens 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: 0.5 m
Suggested uses: groundcover, borders, rock gardens
Native to: Himalaya to Myanmar

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia purpurascens

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 purpurascens?

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 purpurascens?

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

What soil does Bergenia purpurascens need?

Bergenia purpurascens 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 purpurascens?

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 purpurascens grow?

Bergenia purpurascens reaches a height of 0.5 m.

Is Bergenia purpurascens hardy in the UK?

Bergenia purpurascens 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 purpurascens?

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 →