Genus Bergenia (Elephant's ears, Pigsqueak)

Bergenia cordifolia Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Bailey Nurseries

ber-GEN-ee-ah Common Name: Elephant's ears, Pigsqueak

Bergenia have tough, thick rhizomes with leathery, glossy green rosettes—with autumn color—of alternate, simple, obovate leaves. Blooms are produced in loose clusters in spring. Grow in a woodland garden or use as a groundcover.
Noteworthy characteristics: Thick rhizomes and distinctive rosettes of leathery leaves topped with pink-red flowers on fleshy red or purple stalks.
Care: Grow in rich, moist soil in sun to part shade. Dislikes extremes of heat or drought, but will tolerate poor soil. Mulch in autumn to protect early spring flowers from frost.
Propagation: Divide clumps or root rhizomes in spring or autumn every 3 to 5 years. Root young rhizomes in sand or in soil.
Problems: Sometimes affected by fungal leaf spot and rhizome rot. Weevils, slugs, snails, caterpillars, and foliar nematodes.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Bergenia

Bergenia ciliata
(Winter begonia) (1 user review)

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This plant's leaves are large and bright green, with fine hairs, and grow to about 12 inches across. Small pink flowers emerge in spring, but it's the foliage that really shines.

Bergenia cordifolia
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This plant is noted for its beautiful bronze fall foliage. Its leaves are rounded to heart-shaped and sometimes puckered, growing to about 12 inches. It bears pink to rose-red flowers on red stalks in late winter to early spring.

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