Bergenia collection

This collection of 3 bergenias or elephant's ears plants brings colour to the garden all year round, even in shady areas. These small, ground-covering perennial plants over time have a fleshy and glossy, green to purplish foliage depending on the plant, which is decorative even in winter. In spring, between April and early June, beautiful clusters of white, soft pink or dark pinkish-purple bell-shaped blooms appear, depending on the variety. Plant this collection in your borders, rockeries, and pots, as ground cover, preferably in non-scorching sun.

The collection consists of:

- 1 x Bergenia hybrid 'Abendglut': a variety with medium to dark green leaves on the upper side with a ruby red underside, turning brown in winter. Semi-double flowers, magenta pink to purple pink on red-brown stems in April-May.

- 1 x Bergenia hybrid 'Baby Doll': heart-shaped, greenish-blue leaves throughout the year. Single flowers in delicate pastel pink in April-May.

- 1 x Bergenia hybrid 'Bressingham White': large, robust, wide, deep green leaves even in winter. A very floriferous variety, producing an abundance of pure white flowers with a pink heart in May-June. An RHS award-winning variety in England.

As hardy as their cousins with large leaves planted by our grandmothers, these hybrid bergenias can be used to edge a border, enhance a semi-shaded rockery, but also in a beautiful container on the terrace or balcony. Not demanding, these small perennials thrive in any well-prepared and loosened, compost-enriched soil, in a not too arid location. In the garden, aim to plant 5 plants per m² to cover the ground within 3 or 4 years. Planting can be done from March to May or from October to December, outside the frost period.

Bergenia thrive at the base of deciduous bushes that allow the winter sun to shine through but protect them from its summer heat. They can be combined with partial shade with perennial geraniums (Geranium macrorrhizum), or 'cowslip'  primroses, and in the understory of barrenworts, oriental hellebores, hepatica with unbelievably blue flowers.