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Herbaceous Perennial

Bergenia ciliata

fringed elephant's ears

An evergreen, clump-forming perennial with large, round, hairy leaves, tinged red early in the season. In spring, red stems bear white flowers that age to pink. Leaves may be damaged by frost, but fresh ones are produced in spring. Reaches 30cm in height

Synonyms

Bergenia ligulata
Bergenia ciliata f. ciliata

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Saxifragaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Bergenia are evergreen rhizomatous perennials with leathery, rounded leaves and dense, erect clusters of bell-shaped pink or white flowers in spring
Name status: Correct
Plant range: W Himalaya

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in most humus-rich soils but dislikes extremes of heat and drought. Frosts may damage early flowers. See Bergenia cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or root rhizomes sections in spring after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Banks and slopes
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil and slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot

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