Bergenia cordifolia Morgenrote - Elephant's Ears

Bergenia cordifolia 'Morgenröte', known as Bergenia or Elephant's Ears, is a reliable plant. This old cultivar forms beautiful rosettes of small cabbage-like leaves with crinkled edges, which remain green throughout the year, and blooms twice, in March-April and again in May-June, thanks to cool summers. Its deep pink to orchid pink panicles of flowers are carried on sturdy red stems, well above its lovely foliage. A truly beautiful and low-maintenance plant, it will thrive in mild sunlight or shade, in moist, well-drained soil, even poor soil. Both decorative and useful, this ground cover forms a thick carpet and significantly limits the proliferation of adventive plants.

Bergenia cordifolia belongs to the Saxifrage family and is a very resistant and hardy species, native to the Altaï Mountains in Siberia.
The 'Morgenröte' Bergenia is an evergreen perennial with a spreading and creeping habit, herbaceous, with vegetation gathered in tight clumps. It reaches 30cm in height for the foliage and 40-50cm (16-20in) in width at maturity, with a relatively slow growth. This plant grows on a creeping, thick rhizome, enveloped by the sheaths of the leaf base. Over time, it can cover a considerable area, but its growth is so slow that it can hardly be considered an invasive variety. Secondary stems appear here and there, eventually forming a large colony. The small, persistent, leathery, basal leaves with crinkled edges are glossy and remain bright green throughout the year. They are heart-shaped at the base and do not exceed 15cm (6in) in diameter. The flowers, of a deep pink colour, are grouped in pendulous panicles on red, sturdy and villous stems, 45cm (18in) tall. They appear at the end of winter but bloom in early spring, first in March-April, then in May-June if the soil and temperature remain cool. They are quite long-lasting and can be used in spring bouquets.

The 'Morgenröte' Bergenia will grow well in most soils, but a humus-rich and moist soil is preferable. Dry soils tend to limit growth. It thrives in shade, partial shade, or sunny but not scorching locations: dense shade, where it does not flower, and excessive sunlight should be avoided. Cold and poor soils enhance its colours. If you are looking for a sturdy perennial that will always be attractive, look no further than this Bergenia. It can be advantageously used as a ground cover in rock gardens or at the base of deciduous bushes that allow winter sun but protect it from summer heat. It can be associated with perennial geraniums (Geranium macrorrhizum), primroses, and in woodland areas with oriental Hellebores and hostas to cover a slope.

Bergenia cordifolia, like most Bergenias, is not afraid of snow. In nature, this plant only grows where snow is abundant in winter, as it provides excellent protection for the foliage.