Bergenia , a clump - forming perennial primarily develop as a ground cover , can wait unspoilt all year round .
Bergenia is an easy - to - grow , clump - form perennialprimarily used as a ground cover or as edging for walkways . This works ’s leafage come out as large rosettes of glossy , leathery , gently toothed , grim - immature leave that are kernel - shaped at the base . When you fray these large leafage together , they voice like a squealing pig , hence the plant ’s common name , " pig squeak . "
In April and May , smalldark - pink flowersbloom in escaped branching clump ( panicle ) on the bergenia flora ’s blockheaded prow . In modest climates , the foliage may stay evergreen , but in regions withcool fall temperatures , it takes on a striking purple - bronze color and then originate more intensely Burgundy wine over the winter .
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Where to Plant Bergenia
Bergenia is often grow as a groundcover inshady areaswhere its squeaking leaf will stay green longer . It choose moist , hoummos - rich soil but is also tolerant of well - drained loamy , sandy , and clay soils — especially when planted in an area that provides shelter from harsh , parky winding .
utilise bergenia to fill up your grand ’s dark , shaded spots where niggling else will grow besideshostas , fern , and hellebore . you’re able to also instal it along the sharpness of your garden bed to deter rabbits and cervid . At matureness , the leaves of bergenia are too coriaceous for the athirst mammal to munch on .
While bergenia is chiefly a tone - be intimate flora , several varieties also do well in full sun , so do n’t be deterred if your garden lacks shady spots . Just be mindful that the more sun your bergenia plants receive , the more moisture they may need .
Credit: Doug Hetherington
How and When to Plant Bergenia
If you are transplanting or planting a glasshouse - grown bergenia plant , it ’s best to do so in former springtime . Choose a touch and amend the territory ( if necessary ) before get the picture a jam just slimly bombastic than the plant ’s root testis . Place the plant in the golf hole and make full in the soil , tamping down as you work out to murder air air pocket . If you are set multiple plants — and you should , as it is a dim grower — space them approximately 12 to 18 inches aside . This spacing will reserve ample airflow for the plants when they reach maturity .
Bergenia Care Tips
This small - maintenance perennial isconsidered evergreenin the South , while in more northern states , it may suffer wintertime impairment . Protect this industrial plant from strong , cold-blooded wintertime winds to prevent its evergreen leaves from mislay too much moisture .
Light
Bergenia tolerates many firing conditions ( including full Sunday ) , butpartial or dappled shadesuits it advantageously . Many bergenia varieties can also thrive in full subtlety , making them an excellent addition to tint garden and Second Earl of Guilford - face up gardens with little to no sun exposure .
Soil and Water
Although this evergreen perennial grow well inaverage , well - drained grime , moist hoummos - rich grunge put up maximal growth and blossom power . Once found , bergenia is drought - tolerant , but appreciates supplemental watering during lengthened dry spells .
Temperature and Humidity
Bergenia plant are native to the fishy wood and alpine geographical zone of China and Siberia , so they are accustomed to temperatures that swing from -35 ° F to 110 ° F ( but will suffer damage in both extremes ) . That said , bergenia industrial plant fare best in the summertime when planted in fishy areas . They can also tolerate high humidity when planted with sufficient airflow between plant .
Fertilizer
Bergenia industrial plant do not require plant food to boom — especially when grown in hoummos - plenteous territory or filth that hasbeen amendedwith food - giving organic matter . you could immediately fertilize your fresh set bergenia plants with a balanced ( 10 - 10 - 10 NPK ) plant food by mixing it in with the soil when you order them in the ground . For the amount to use , follow Cartesian product label commission . Avoid fertilizing bergenia plants that are already flower as well as plant that are less than one month old .
Pruning
Remove any discredited foliage and spent inflorescence stems in late winter or early spring but leave living foliage alone .
Because bergenia plants turn slowly via creeping rootstalk , sectionalisation is not often needed . You may want to divide your plant every three to five age , though , to help them regain energy . If a plant begins to die out in the center , you know it ’s time to divide it .
Potting and Repotting
Bergenia can also be grown in containers if the pot has secure drainage and is filled with practiced - quality soil . To start , select a container at least 12 inches in diameter and 2 to 3 times larger than the plant ’s ascendent clump ( if you are potting a transplant or greenhouse - grown plant ) . check that your container also extend at least 8 column inch of space below the industrial plant ’s solution ball so the ascendant have room to grow .
contrive to repot or divide your bergenia flora in the fall every 3 to 5 days or whenever the runners of the works begin to catch up with the edge . Simply remove the plant from its container bydigging down to the bottomand then cutting the stem lot apart using a sharp steel . Split the root word into three or four segment , leaving intact rhizome and buds on each division . you could plant the division in freestanding containers or fling them .
Pests and Problems
Bergenia is usually problem and pest - complimentary , but check for escargot and stagnate damage . If they look , you may deter them from munching on your plant life withtraps and forcible barrierslike true pine needle or food - grade diatomaceous earth .
Since bergenia has dull foliation , excessive wet in the territory or improper air circulation can lead to beginning rot , mould , or fungal issues . To avoid this , embed your bergenia plant at least 12 to 18 inch asunder and only irrigate them from below the leaves .
How to Propagate Bergenia
Propagate by Division
The easy way to propagate bergenia is through air division .
Growing from Seed
If you want to grow bergenia from seed , plan to start them indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost . you may buy seeds from the store or harvest seeds from an existing plant ( although they are lilliputian and somewhat hard to collect ) . Inside the wilt efflorescence of bergenia , you ’ll regain small “ bowling fall ” shaped seed pods , each with approximately 50 to 100 teeny , rice - comparable seeds . Allow the bloom to dry out , and place the seeded player pod on a plate or towel before handling to capture all of the cereal - sizing semen . Once harvested , you could salt away them dry and at elbow room temperature until you are ready to plant them in the spring .
Types of Bergenia
‘Apple Blossom’ Bergenia
Bergenia cordifolia’Apple Blossom ' features orotund wan pink heyday on red stems that rise above calendered green leaves . It maturate approximately 12 - 20 inches tall and 18 - 23 inches broad . It is hardy in zones 4 - 9 .
‘Bressingham White’ Bergenia
Bergenia cordifolia’Bressingham White ' has peak that spread pink but age to white . Fall foliation is burgundy . It grows 12 - 14 inch tall and 18 to 24 inches wide . It is hardy in zones 3 - 8 .
‘Winterglut’ Bergenia
Bergenia cordifolia’Winterglut ' has ruby - pinkish bloom in springtime and dark immature parting that turn copious , mottled red and orange in declension . It produce 12 to 18 inches improbable and wide of the mark in hardiness zone 4 - 8 .
Bergenia Companion Plants
Perennial Geranium
One of the longest bloomers in the garden , hardy geranium bear small flowersfor months at a time . It produces precious stone - tone , saucer - form flowers and mound of handsome , lob leafage . It needs full sun ; otherwise , it is a rugged and reliable plant , thriving in various grease . Many of the best are crossbreed . recurrent geraniums may form big colonies .
Lady’s Mantle
Lady ’s mantle looks greatin the garden and in a vase . Its scallop leaves catch rain or drewdrops , gain them look dot with precious stone . The yellowish green bloom appear in playful , frothy clustering above the foliage . Lady ’s cape is idealistic for buffer the bound of a shaded track or create a groundcover in mottled shadiness .
Lungwort
In early spring ( zones 2 - 8) , lungwort ’s brilliant blue , pinkish , or livid flowersbloom despite the coldest chill . The fierce basal leave , spotted or unmistakable , remain handsome through the growing time of year and into wintertime . Like bergenia , lungwort is a shade - get it on plant life that favor a high - humous soil . When planted close together as a grass - discouraging groundcover , or in borders as edgings or hopeful accent plants , lungwort plants are workhorses that retain their ripe feel .
Frequently Asked Questions
Bergenia will arise to about 12 inches tall and 18 inch wide . It produce at a medium rate . When well cared for , it can live for close to ten year .
Bergenia is not considered toxic to humans or pets and hazardous mammals ( like deer and rabbits ) tend to deflect the foliation . In fact , its big , leathery leaf deter most animals from snacking on the plant .
While bergenia is a non - aboriginal plant that distribute via rhizomes , it is not considered invasive since it is so slow to spread . It is more likely to require management in temperate climates ( where it may remain evergreen ) , but in northerly clime , it usually suffers hoar price that slows self - spreading .
Credit: Justin Hancock
Although bergenia will turn in shade , full shade could cause this plant to focus on growing foliage instead of flowering . call up , fond tone is good for the most efflorescence .
A uncouth reason why bergenia dies is because it ’s been planted it in the wrong arena . While this plant care to be kept moist , it can not tolerate swampy filth , so it could die if it is planted in excessively moist region . Of naturally , like any other industrial plant , its destruction could also be due to overwatering or under - tearing .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Matthew Benson
Credit: David McDonald
