Bergenia × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' (Saxifrage) — Mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes

Overview

Bergenia × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' 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 × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' 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, rock gardens, borders, shade gardens and woodland gardens.

About

Bergenia × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' is an evergreen, mat-forming perennial with broad, leathery rounded leaves that often flush red or bronze in winter. It spreads by surface rhizomes to form a low ground cover and flowers from March to May. Plants tolerate a wide range of light from full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun. It suits borders, rock gardens and shaded beds.

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 × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' is a mat-forming perennial in the Saxifragaceae with a spiral rosette of broad, leathery leaves and a spreading habit driven by surface rhizomes. Flowering occurs in the UK from March to May. The foliage is evergreen and commonly develops red or bronze tones through the winter, a feature that is most pronounced where plants receive good light. Sit this Bergenia in any reasonable soil, from garden loam to poor or stony ground, and in acid, neutral or alkaline conditions. It prefers moist but well-drained soil yet will tolerate dry shade once established. Position can be full sun to full shade; aspect and exposure are flexible, so it will perform in exposed beds as well as sheltered woodland corners. The hardiness rating H6–H7 means it is suited to very hardy to fully hardy UK gardens. Use 'Ernst Schmidt' as a low ground cover beneath shrubs, to edge borders, on rock garden slopes or in shade plantings where its large leaves give structural contrast. Because it spreads by surface rhizomes it fills gaps quickly and can be thinned by lifting and dividing clumps. Expect the rounded leaves to deepen to red or bronze over winter, providing seasonal colour when many perennials have died back.

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 × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' 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: Groundcover, rock gardens, borders, shade gardens, woodland gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt'

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 × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt'?

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 × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt'?

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

What soil does Bergenia × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' need?

Bergenia × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' 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 × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt'?

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

Is Bergenia × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' hardy in the UK?

Bergenia × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt' 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 × schmidtii 'Ernst Schmidt'?

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 →