- Botanical name: Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea'
- Common name: Elephants' ears
- Family: Saxifragaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
Pink
Bronze
Green
Bergenias make excellent ground-cover plants. Some varieties take on reddish or metallic tints in winter, but Bergenia cordifolia ‘Purpurea’ has purple foliage all year round, with upright stalks of pink flowers opening in late winter and extending through spring. Although bergenias thrive in light shade, the foliage of coloured leafed varieties like this one is strongest when grown in sun and poor soil. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Because of its fine foliage Bergenia cordifolia ‘Purpurea’ makes a good foil for a huge range of summer flowers – use as a substitute for hosta in poor soil or drier conditions.
How to grow Bergenia 'Purpurea'
-
Plant size
50cm height
100cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, south facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade, full shade
- Shade type: Dry
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / chalky / alkaline / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do Divide in October |
N
Do Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Bergenia 'Purpurea' and wildlife
Bergenia 'Purpurea' is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Bergenia 'Purpurea' poisonous?
Bergenia 'Purpurea' can be toxic.
Toxic to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Bergenia 'Purpurea'
