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

Overview

Bergenia 'Silberlicht' 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 'Silberlicht' 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 container planting.

About

Bergenia 'Silberlicht' is a mat-forming perennial that spreads by surface rhizomes and carries broad, leathery, rounded leaves. The foliage remains through the year and often flushes red or bronze in winter, with the colour deepest in sun. It produces flowers from March to May on short upright stems. Use it where a spreading, evergreen ground layer is wanted, including containers or rock gardens.

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 'Silberlicht' is a mat-forming, rhizomatous perennial with evergreen, broad leathery leaves that spread across the surface. The plant makes short, upright flower stems that bloom March to May. Its habit of forming a low mat makes it useful where surface coverage is wanted without tall growth. Position Bergenia 'Silberlicht' anywhere from full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun. Soil is not critical — it will grow in a wide range of soils, including poor and stony ground, and will tolerate acid, neutral or alkaline pH. It prefers moist but well drained conditions yet will tolerate dry shade once established, so once rooted it can settle into less favourable spots. Hardiness is H6–H7, translated to UK terms as very hardy to fully hardy, so it withstands typical cold winters. Keep in mind the plant spreads by surface rhizomes, so allow room at the edges or plant where a spreading ground cover is wanted. Recommended uses include borders, ground cover, rock gardens, woodland planting and containers. The broad leaves provide season-long coverage and commonly flush red or bronze through winter, giving winter interest as well as spring flowers.

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 'Silberlicht' 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, container planting

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia 'Silberlicht'

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 'Silberlicht'?

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 'Silberlicht'?

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

What soil does Bergenia 'Silberlicht' need?

Bergenia 'Silberlicht' 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 'Silberlicht'?

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

Is Bergenia 'Silberlicht' hardy in the UK?

Bergenia 'Silberlicht' 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 'Silberlicht'?

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 →