Bergenia × smithii (Elephant's Ears) — Mat-forming, spreading by surface rhizomes

Overview

Bergenia × smithii 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 × smithii 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.

About

Bergenia × smithii is a perennial in the saxifrage family that forms a mat of evergreen, broad, leathery leaves and spreads by surface rhizomes. The foliage is rounded and often flushes red or bronze through winter. Flowering occurs from March to May on short stems above the leaves. It tolerates a wide range of soils and light conditions.

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 × smithii belongs to the genus Bergenia within the Saxifragaceae and grows as a mat-forming, rhizomatous perennial with a spirally arranged rosette of large, leathery leaves. It keeps foliage through the year and produces its flowering display from March to May, with blooms held on short stems above the leaves. Position it in full sun to full shade; note that winter leaf colour is strongest in sun. It accepts any reasonable soil, including poor or stony ground, and will cope with acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Soils should be moist but well drained—once established the plant tolerates dry shade. Aspect and exposure are not critical, as it performs in exposed or sheltered sites. Use Bergenia × smithii where a spreading, evergreen ground cover is wanted, or to underplant shrubs and trees where light varies. Maintenance is minimal: remove older flower stems and tidy leaves in spring if required; expect surface rhizomes to slowly extend the mat. The most reliable sign of season change is the foliage flush: leaves commonly develop red or bronze tones over winter before the March to May flowers open.

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 × smithii 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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia × smithii

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 × smithii?

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 × smithii?

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

What soil does Bergenia × smithii need?

Bergenia × smithii 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 × smithii?

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

Is Bergenia × smithii hardy in the UK?

Bergenia × smithii 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 × smithii?

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 →