Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Bergenia crassifolia
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Korean elephant's ears

An evergreen, clump-forming perennial, to 50cm high and wide, with toothed, oblong to rounded leaves, often tinged with red in winter particularly if grown on exposed sites. Nodding, purple-pink flowers are borne from winter into spring on branched stems

Other common names
elephant ears
elephant's ear saxifrage
Synonyms
Bergenia coreana
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Purple Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Pink Purple Green Red
Position
  • Full shade
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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
NE Asia

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • 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

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.