The Plant Guide

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Winter begonia

Bergenia ciliata

ber-GEN-ee-ah sil-ee-AY-tah Audio

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.

Noteworthy CharacteristicsUseful in woodland or shady beds. May be hard to find in nurseries.

PropagationDivide clumps or root rhizomes in spring or autumn every 3 to 5 years. Root young rhizomes in sand or in soil.

ProblemsSometimes affected by fungal leaf spot and rhizome rot. Weevils, slugs, snails, caterpillars, and foliar nematodes.

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Ideal for summertime pest control, this garden cover effectively screens out Japanese beetles, potato beetles, cabbage worms, leaf miners, carrot flies and most vine borers. It transmits 97.6% of the light to your plants without allowing heat build-up, and it provides cold protection down to 41° F, to extend your growing season.
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Lee Valley Garden Knife

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These knives have a trowel-like blade with a sharp edge to let you use the same tool for digging, planting and cutting. The blade is sharpened on both sides, with serrations on one edge to help with cutting tough roots or dividing perennials. Deeply stamped markings on the blade (in 1/2" and 5mm increments) help you set the correct planting depth for seeds and bulbs.
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Lee Valley Mini Garden Shear Set

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These shears have a distinctive finger rest that not only aids grip but allows greater freedom of movement than a conventional handle design. They have a durable powder-coat finish to resist rust and wear, and a simple clasp that locks the spring-action stainless-steel blades closed. The set includes one pair of round-nose shears measuring 5 1/2" overall with 1" blades for cutting stems up to 3/8" in diameter, and one pair of 6 1/2" needle-nose shears with 2" fine-tip blades for precise work.
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  • Genus : Bergenia
  • Zones : 5, 6, 7, 8
  • Plant Height : 6 to 12 inches
  • Plant Width : 6 to 12 inches
  • Bloom Time : Early Spring, Spring
  • Maintenance : Low
  • Moisture : Medium Moisture
  • Light : Partial Shade to Full Shade
  • Plant Type : Perennials
  • Flower Color : Pink
  • Uses : Shade
  • Characteristics : Showy Foliage
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Spring Interest

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