Bergenia crassifolia
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
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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 ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical 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
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