About
Bergenia purpurascens var. delavayi is a perennial plant that maintains its foliage year-round, reaching heights of up to 40 cm. It features upright, oval leaves that exhibit a strong purple-bronze hue, which intensifies under bright sunlight and cooler temperatures. In spring, slender reddish stems emerge, showcasing hanging clusters of deep pink blooms.
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
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
- Native to
- E Himalaya
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