Overview
Bergenia stracheyi 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 stracheyi 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. It is native to C Asia and Himalaya.
About
Bergenia stracheyi is a mat-forming perennial in the Saxifragaceae with bold, rounded leaves and a spreading habit from surface rhizomes. The evergreen foliage is broad and leathery, often flushing red or bronze in winter. It produces fragrant flowers in spring, flowering from March to May. Plants tolerate a wide range of soils, including poor and stony ground.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Bergenia stracheyi
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 stracheyi originates from Central Asia and the Himalaya and forms a low, spreading ground cover by means of surface rhizomes. Leaves are rounded and leathery, remaining present through winter and commonly turning red or bronze with exposure to sun. The plant sits in the genus Bergenia and belongs to the Saxifragaceae. Place it where it will get anything from full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun. It will grow in any reasonable soil—acid, neutral or alkaline—and even in poor or stony ground, provided the soil is moist but well drained. Once established it will tolerate dry shade. Aspect and exposure are not critical: plants are suited to exposed or sheltered sites and are rated H6–H7, meaning very to fully hardy for UK conditions. Use Bergenia stracheyi to fill gaps at the front of borders, soften paved edges and steps, or as a ground cover beneath larger shrubs and trees where its spreading rhizomes can knit the soil. It also suits rockeries and sloping banks. Expect fragrant flower clusters in March to May and a red to bronze winter flush on the leaves, which can help lift winter beds and pathways.
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 stracheyi 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
- Native to
- C Asia, Himalaya
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Bergenia stracheyi
- 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 stracheyi?
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 stracheyi?
Bergenia stracheyi prefers full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour is strongest in sun. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.
What soil does Bergenia stracheyi need?
Bergenia stracheyi 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 stracheyi?
Remove dead and tatty leaves and spent flower spikes at the base as needed through the year. No other pruning required.
Is Bergenia stracheyi hardy in the UK?
Bergenia stracheyi 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 stracheyi?
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
- Bergenia 'Abendglut'elephant's ears 'Abendglut'
- Bergenia 'Ballawley'Saxifrage
- Bergenia 'Bressingham White'Elephant's Ears
- Bergenia 'Morgenröte'
- Bergenia 'Overture'Elephant's Ears
- Bergenia 'Silberlicht'elephant's ears 'Silberlicht'
- Bergenia 'Bressingham Bountiful'Saxifrage
- Bergenia 'Distinction'Saxifrage