Not fussy about soil type or pH as long as it is reasonably free-draining but moist. Dislikes very hot or dry conditions. Sun or semi-shade. Will tolerate exposed areas. Propagate by division, or by taking cuttings of the rhizomes in autumn or spring. H4 hardy in UK.
Bergenia will succede in domandino areas of dry shade but they prefer damper conditions to grow profusely. Winter foliage colour is best in poor soil conditions
Keep the clumps tidy by removing old leaves and rhizomes
Divide clumps every 3 to 5 years. To avoid old clumps becoming exposed in the centre. Root young rhizomes in sand or in soil.1
Sow fresh seed in early spring in pots or modules using standard peat free compost or fine propagating bark. Cover with pearlite or vermiculite and keep at 20C Germination may take up to 4 weeks.
Not all seeds will come true to parent plant
Best in poor well drained soil in full sun but will tolerate dry shade
Divide old clumps to refresh plant
Sow fresh seed
These estimates for how long Elephant ears takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Conrad Moench honored the German botanist and physician Karl August von Bergen by coining the name Bergenia in 1794. (Wikipedia)
The name “pigsqueak” comes from the noise you get from rubbing the leaves together.
This plant displays a beautiful bronze color in fall.1
Pigsqueak, Heartleaf bergenia
Misspellings: Pip Squeak, Elephant's Ears
1 finegardening.com/bergenia-cordifolia