(Bergenia, Eden's Dark Margin Bergenia, Elephant's Ears, Pig Squeak)

This selection of Bergenia, ‘Eden’s Dark Margin,’ has the distinction of a thin line of red on the edge of its leaves. Like other bergenias, it is a low-growing, evergreen perennial with rounded green leaves with red undersides that grow from a wandering fleshy root and barely rise free of the ground. In mid to late spring the plant sends up short, thick stems, often purple, that end in a radiating cluster of small, magenta-pink flowers. In winter, the leaves turn shades of maroon. By spring, some...

(Bergenia, Elephant's Ears, Pig Squeak, Sunningdale Bergenia)

A hybrid bergenia, ‘Sunningdale’ grows as a spreading clump of large rounded leaves and flowers on fleshy stalks. Like other bergenias, it is a low-growing, evergreen perennial, its leaves rising from a wandering fleshy root, growing close together and upright in an unruly mat. In mid to late spring the plant sends up knee-high, red stems topped by a cluster of small, magenta flowers. In winter, the leaves turn shades of copper-red. By spring, some may look weatherbeaten and should be removed.

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(Bressingham Bergenia)

A slow spreading, clump-forming, evergreen perennial, bergenia is a good plant for semi-shady areas. The Bressingham series plants have been bred for their abundant spring blooms, compact habit and shiny, leathery dark green leaves which sometimes turn bronze in late fall and winter. The flowers are held in upright clusters above the leaves. They prefer moist, humusy soil but will tolerate short periods of drought. A nice plant for the woodland border or as a ground cover for small areas.

(Eden Bergenia)

Eden Series Bergenia is a group of a clump forming evergreen perennials with large, rounded, toothed, dark green leathery leaves with red undersides. Small, nodding, pink to magenta, cup-shaped flowers appear in loosely arranged groups on upright fleshy stems in mid to late spring. The foliage turns to red in autumn. (At the limits of its cold hardiness, the foliage may die back then re-emerge at the end of bloom cycle.) Plants included in the Eden Series are the cultivars 'Eden's Magic Giant' and...

(Elephant's Ears, Heartleaf Bergenia, Pig Squeak)

Hardy and semi-evergreen, heartleaf bergenia is native to the woodlands and rocky terrain of the Himalayas and Tibet. It is a clump-forming perennial with large, rounded, dark green, leathery leaves. In early spring it produces stout clusters of small, nodding, pink, cup-shaped flowers. Its foliage turns wine red in autumn. A fine cultivar is 'Winter Glow', which has particularly beautiful rosy-bronze foliage all winter.

This perennial prefers part sun or shade and protection from harsh, drying...

(Heartleaf Bergenia)

Purplish foliage and red flower stems that carry fuchsia-pink flowers in spring, heartleaf bergenia selection 'Purpurea' is one of the prettiest. Cold hardy and semi-evergreen, it is native to the woodlands and rocky terrain of the Himalayas and Tibet. It is a clump-forming perennial with large, rounded, purplish dark green leathery leaves. In early spring it produces stout clusters of small, nodding flowers on deep red stems. Each blossom is a vibrant fuchsia pink and is cup-shaped. Its foliage...

(Heartleaf Bergenia, Rotblum Bergenia)

Beautiful green foliage and red flower stems that carry dark pink flowers in spring, heartleaf bergenia selection 'Rotblum' has bronzed foliage in winter's chill. Cold hardy and semi-evergreen, it is native to the woodlands and rocky terrain of the Himalayas and Tibet. It is a clump-forming perennial with large, rounded, purplish dark green leathery leaves. In early spring it produces stout clusters of small, nodding flowers on red stems. Each blossom is a deep pink and is cup-shaped. Its foliage...

(Elephant's Ears, Heartleaf Bergenia, Pig Squeak, Winter Glow Heartleaf Bergenia)

A selection of Heartleaf Bergenia, ‘Winter Glow’ is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial with large, rounded, toothed, dark green leathery leaves that turn reddish-bronze in autumn and return to green in spring. It produces small, nodding, bright-magenta, cup-shaped flowers in loosely arranged groups on a fleshy stem in early spring. The parent species is native to woods and rocky terrain of the Himalayas and Tibet. At the limits of its hardiness, its leaves may die back over the winter and new leaves...

(Bergenia, Elephant's Ears, Pig Squeak, Purple Bergenia)

This bergenia is a clump-forming evergreen perennial with giant, rounded, toothed, dark-green leathery leaves with purplish red undersides. Small, nodding, rose-red, cup shaped flowers appear in loosely arranged groups on knee-high fleshy stems in early spring. The leaves turns beet red or deep purple in the winter and return to green the following spring. Leaves that look weatherbeaten in spring should be removed to keep the plant fresh. At the limits of its hardiness, its leaves may die back in...

(Buttonbush)

With fine deep green foliage, buttonbush has woolly button-like flowers from winter to late spring and then decorative tan seedheads that remain on the plant for up to two years. An upright, clumping shrub from South Africa, it is associated with sunny bogs. Its overall shape can also be rounded with a spreading tendency.

The small and narrow leaves are rich green and arranged in whorls all along the upright stems. from midwinter to late spring the stem tips bear small clusters of small, rounded...