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

Overview

Bergenia 'Sunningdale' 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 'Sunningdale' 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 containers. It is native to Central and Eastern Asia.

About

Bergenia 'Sunningdale' is an evergreen, mat-forming perennial grown for its broad, leathery leaves and spring flower spikes. It spreads by surface rhizomes to form a low ground cover. Leaves often flush red or bronze in winter, with the strongest colour where plants receive sun. Flowering occurs in the UK from March to May.

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 'Sunningdale' is a mat-forming perennial from central and eastern Asia, valued for a dense rosette of broad, leathery leaves and upright flowering stems. It spreads by shallow, surface rhizomes, producing a carpet of foliage that precedes the spring flowers. Flowering season in the UK runs from March to May. Position it in full sun to full shade; winter leaf colour will be strongest in sun. Soil requirements are undemanding — it will grow in any reasonable soil, including poor or stony ground, and tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Aim for moist but well-drained conditions; once established it will tolerate dry shade. Aspect and exposure are flexible, suiting both exposed and sheltered spots. Cold tolerance is H6–H7, meaning very hardy to fully hardy in UK gardens. Use Bergenia 'Sunningdale' at the front of borders, as a ground cover beneath shrubs, in rock gardens, woodland settings or in containers where its spreading habit can be contained. Because it spreads by surface rhizomes, allow space for the mat to develop or use edging to control spread. Expect the broad leaves to flush red or bronze through winter, most noticeably in sunnier positions.

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 'Sunningdale' 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, containers
Native to: Central and Eastern Asia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bergenia 'Sunningdale'

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 'Sunningdale'?

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 'Sunningdale'?

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

What soil does Bergenia 'Sunningdale' need?

Bergenia 'Sunningdale' 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 'Sunningdale'?

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

Is Bergenia 'Sunningdale' hardy in the UK?

Bergenia 'Sunningdale' 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 'Sunningdale'?

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 →