These plants have big, glossy leaves as well as springtime flowers.
Read on for our care guide.
Bergenia Care
Bergenia plants are vigorous without beinginvasiveand will slowly spread to form aground cover.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
They thrive in partial shade but will also tolerateheavy shade.
But, of course, the more sun plants receive, the more moisture they will need.
Water
Bergenia likes consistent moisture.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
To maintain a moist root zone, spread a three-inch layer of mulch around the plants.
They also do well in humid areas.
Winter damage is more extensive in colder climates.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Fertilizer
Bergenia plants are light feeders and do not need supplemental fertilizer to look their best.
Growing bergenia plants in loamy soil amended withorganic matterprovides all the nutrients they need.
Both plants thrive in shade and feature similar large, rounded leaves with a glossy finish.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Pruning
In general, bergenia plants need little in the way of pruning.
you might cut back spent flower stalks to keep plants looking tidy in the summer.
In areas where the foliage is marginally evergreen, trimming back tattered foliage will also increase plant tidiness.
‘Peppermint Patty’The Spruce / Grant Webster
Potting and Repotting Bergenia
Bergenia makes an attractive container specimen.
Bergenia plants will grow in anycommercial potting soilin a pot with a diameter of at least 12 inches.
Repot your plants in the spring after flowering, and divide as needed to keep plants from becoming overcrowded.
Winterglow BergeniaCourtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder
Combine bergenia in containers with other pretty foliage choices, likecoral bellsandJapanese painted fern.
Cover clumps of bergenia with straw or chopped leaves to protect them against freezing winter temperatures.
This barrier protects the foliage and roots from the freezing and thawing cycle.
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Remove any infected leaves on the plant and the surrounding ground, and treat with a fungicide.
Proper watering techniques can help prevent these types of fungus.
In warmer climates, they can bloom as early as December.
Mark Turner/Getty Images
What Do Bergenia Flowers Look Like?
Bergenia blooms with bell-flowers that form clusters on stalks.
Flowers can be white, pink, and purple.
Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images
Deadheading Bergenia Flowers
Quickly remove spent flowering stems from bergenia to keep the plant looking fresh.
Common Problems With Bergenia
Yellowing Leaves
Bergenia leaves can turn yellow due to overwatering.
While these plants like to be kept moist, they don’t like to be waterlogged.
Dropping Leaves
Bergenia leaves can drop due to extreme conditions.
Bergenia plants cannot tolerate extreme heat or drought.
check that you’re giving adequate water and water extra during periods of excessive heat.
Plant bergenia, in the ground or a container, just to the top of the root ball.
Space multiple plants about 12 to 18 inches apart.
Pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to bergenia flowers.
Other flowering plants that are good companion plants with bergenia includehardy geranium(cranesbill),lungwort, andbrunnera.
No, bergenia are rarely damaged by deer.
